New Commercial Project: Addison
As architects we have a strong interest in improving the Urban environment. In recent years we have been engaged to develop design oriented infill commercial projects that add to the community and create local shopping and office areas. Bringing our background in high quality environmentally conscious design to a larger scale has been a satisfying addition to our practice.
Environmentally friendly elegant design is the foundation of sustainable profitable projects. Good design does not have to cost more, but designing a good building that passes the world of ADA requirements and the Myriad of planning and building codes takes experience. We have the background to bring your project from a good idea to a great completed project.
The Addison Street project was a remodel for a 1960's concrete block two story office building in Berkeley. The original building was very rectangular and rather unattractive. By adding square footage to the front of the building visual interest was added. In addition a third floor was added which increased the overall square footage as well as the curb appeal.
The project has been the subject of extensive review and has been approved by the Berkeley Planning Department.
Taking full advantage of the interior walls not being structural, the entire interior could be redesigned. Changing it from a rabbit warren of dark, confusing hallways into more open, light filled design. Recycling and reuse as a large part of the project, as well as using natural materials where possible. The third floor was added on top of the existing two-story building allowing three more private office suites which were custom designed. One for an architectural firm. Including space for workstations, private offices, conference room and print room. Custom workstations and built-in desks and bookshelves help complete the functionality. One for massage therapists, including a small waiting room with built-in desk. And one for a magazine company. All private offices were designed with as much natural light as possible, heating and cooling units and each floor has unique features creating a diverse and interesting office building.
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New front of building (enlarge)Front of Building with a new look - additional square footage added, parking lot resurfaced with compliant spaces. -
3-D CAD rendering of design (enlarge)3-D CAD imaging program was used to draw up the design. Allowing a virtual walk-through prior to any construction. -
Before Remodel (enlarge)1960s concrete block building with a slight redesign in 1990s. This was an unattractive rectangular building, and a non-compliant parking lot. -
Front entry (enlarge)Front entrance finished with custom tile floor including river mosaic with fish and plants. -
Front entry (enlarge)New front entry roughed in. -
New front walk (enlarge)New front walk, ADA compliant. Plantings replace the moved gas meter. -
New front hall (enlarge)1st floor entry hall is more spacious than original, with custom tile and windows into the private offices allowing more natural light into the hall. -
Original Gas meter (enlarge)Before remodel, gas meter was located next to parking lot, requiring bollard to protect it from cars. -
Original front door (enlarge)Originally the front door was sideways to the street, leading to a confusing entrance. -
New Front stairs (enlarge)Front stairs to 3rd floor. This was a two story building, so another flight of stairs to the 3rd floor had to be designed and built. Heavy timber construction was chosen for the front stairs to add visual interest and maintain commercial standards. -
Glass Block floor (enlarge)Allowing natural light down to lower floors -
2nd floor suite after remodel (enlarge)Office suite on 2nd floor after remodel. Open layout combined with 3 private offices a break room and private bathroom. Lights were reused from original building. Private offices have high windows allowing the natural light from within their spaces to light the main, open area. -
2nd floor before remodel (enlarge)Second floor of building before remodel began. -
Rabbit Warren (enlarge)Before remodel, building was divided into a rabbit warren of small office spaces connected with narrow, dark halls. -
2nd floor back office during demolition (enlarge)Taking down the rabbit warren of walls. -
Separating piles during demolition (enlarge)Separating demolition piles into re-use, recycle and trash. -
Ready for framing (enlarge)Ready for new private offices and open space. Drop ceiling removed to increase room height. -
2nd floor suite framed in (enlarge)Office suite on 2nd floor framed and drywalled. -
2nd floor private office (enlarge)Glass block window replaced old window with bars. Glass block allows the natural light from stairwell to come into the office space, and maintains the required fire separation. -
Before remodel, window from private office (enlarge)Inside private office, window was an eye sore. -
Before remodel, window to private office (enlarge)Before the remodel, this window was operable to the stairway (which did not meet code), and covered with ugly bars. -
Built-in desk in waiting area (enlarge)To maximize use of space a built-in desk was designed. The usability of this desk is continuously proven by clients and tenants. -
Finished dojo (enlarge)Dojo finished with mat area, shoji screens for windows and recessed lights to increase effective ceiling height. -
Before remodel, classrooms (enlarge)Originally classrooms divided the space. -
Open space (enlarge)After interior (non-load bearing) walls were removed. -
Private office (enlarge)Private office suite on new 3rd floor. -
Mezzanine (enlarge)Mezzanine level added to give views of San Francisco, as well increasing the front of the buildings visual interest. Built-in desks, bookshelves and drawing storage were designed to meet the needs of an architect. -
Spiral Stairs (enlarge)Spiral stairs from mezzanine to main office level -
Conference room (enlarge)Conference room with private deck. Antique Chinese wheelbarrow provides interesting conference table. -
Looking west (enlarge)Entry of private office suite. Three workstations are in the main area with a private office and conference room to the west, the mezzanine is up the spiral stairs behind us. -
Custom desk (enlarge)Custom desk, designed and built to maximize the use of the space. -
Private office (enlarge)Private office within the office suite. Built-in desk maximizes functionality of the space.
