Mark Cavagnero Associates Architects

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    • UC Berkeley Durant Hall
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    UC Berkeley Durant Hall

    Status

    Completed, 2010

    Size

    18,000 SF

    Client

    UC Berkeley

    Scope

    Design, Renovation

    Project Team

    Mark Cavagnero
    Kang Kiang
    John Fung
    Paul Davison
    Paul Loeffler
    Roslyn Cole

    Project Collaborators

    MEP Engineer: Cammisa + Wipf
    Structural Engineer: Tipping Structural Engineers (formerly Tipping + Mar)
    Civil Engineer: Van Maren & Associates
    Landscape: GLS Landscape Architecture
    Lighting Consultant: Silverman & Light Consulting
    Acoustical Consultant: Charles Salter Associates, Inc.
    AV/Telecom/IT: TEECOM
    General Contractor: West Coast Contractors

    Special Features

    LEED Certification Silver

    Description

    Built in 1911 as the School of Law, Durant Hall is a historic granite-clad concrete building located at the heart of the UC Berkeley campus.  This project converts the 17,000 SF four-story building from its most recent use as the East Asian Library to the new home for the deans and administration for the College of Letters and Science. The team was charged with developing a new modern home fitting of the administration for the largest college on campus, while creating an environment that celebrates the historic significance of the coveted landmark. 

    Accessibility was a key concern given that the entrances to the building on the north and south sides were up a half level, only accessible via several historic stone stairs.  A new plaza and entry ramp are created at grade on the western façade, connecting to the surrounding pedestrian walkways.  A new glass entry door and steel frame are surgically inserted into an existing window opening, with little to no change to the historic façade.  Within the building, a new elevator connects the lower level to the upper floors of the building, providing full accessibility. 

    The entry level, formerly the basement, provides conference rooms for students and faculty and the Graduate Research Center. While some of the spaces are partially below grade, use of transparent and opaque class, bright walls, modern furnishings and contemporary lighting contribute to a comfortable and pleasant environment.  The first and second floors house the majority of historic elements, which are carefully adapted to house administrative offices and meeting space.  Existing historic elements such as marble stairs, wood paneling, historic light fixtures, and the plaster ribbed-vault ceiling are restored. The second level, previously housing a grand reading room and stacks, offers high ceilings, daylight and skylight above, showering the space with an abundance of natural well-balanced light.  Glass panels run between the historic columns to delineate private offices for the six Deans of the College of Letters and Science and the large central lobby space doubles as an event space and display area for the college.  Previously the attic, the third floor is completely renovated to comfortably house more administrative space with a combination of private offices and open office areas. 

    The project is designed in accordance with the UC Berkeley Green Building Practices and received LEED Silver certification. 

    Location

    Recognition

    Awards

    Contract Magazine, Interiors Award, 2012
    Chicago Athenaeum Museum, Green Good Design Award, 2012
    AIA San Francisco, Excellence in Interior Architecture Award, 2012
    California Home + Design, Commercial Design Awards, 2012
    AIA California Council, Merit Award for Architecture, 2011
    AIA East Bay, Honor Award, 2011
    IIDA Northern California Chapter, Merit Award, 2011

    Publications

    Architectural Record, November 2011
    Interior Design dailyfix, December 21, 2010
    California Home + Design, Jan/Feb 2011
    Architectural Record, March 2012
    San Francisco Chronicle, January 30, 2012
    San Francisco Chronicle, August 9, 2011
    Contra Costa Times, September 28, 2011
    Richmond Confidential, September 28, 2011