Manville Hall Community, Shop, SROs
Berkeley, California

This studio residence hall is located near the University of California in Berkeley’s downtown business district. Reflecting the existing urban typology and preserving the urban street edge, the design situates the 132 apartments in three stories above high-ceilinged, pedestrian oriented retail space.

Arranged around an inner courtyard, these rooms employ the SRO model, achieving individual rooms with private efficiency kitchen and bath, while providing generous common study and recreation spaces. In addition to commercial space, the ground level contains the lobby, laundry room, study lounges, and parking garage.

Appealing to the scale and proportion of the surrounding context, the building mass is divided into three major components, each varying in color and treatment of details. Two of these volumes are divided by a grand stair which leads to the courtyard which, placed above the garage level, is landscaped with colored concrete and large boulders.

awards

Excellence in Design
Berkeley Downtown Association
AIA Honor Award
American Institute of Architects
Award of Excellence for Mixed-Use Buildings
Berkeley Design Advocates

project details

Landscape Architect

Andrea Cochran Landscape Architects

Structural Engineer

Tipping Mar + Associates

Client

University of California, Berkeley

Design Architect

David Baker + Partners

Design-Build Architect

Ratcliff Architects