Berkeley Apartments

Located in Berkeley, California, the Berkeley Apartments is an 8-story building designed for student living. The building is home to 207 units, uniquely programmed to accommodate students with a wide variety of amenities, and an indoor/outdoor connection with a private amenity courtyard. Originally designed by Trachtenberg Architects, DJR has been brought on as the Architect of Record, completing the construction documentation and subsequent coordination to bring the project to life. ⁠

The project implements a unique construction typology with 5 stories of wood modular units over 3 levels of concrete podium for commercial, amenity, and parking spaces. Ground level commercial spaces line the street corner to enhance the pedestrian experience, while the lobby opens into a private amenity courtyard for residents. A semi-automated parking system was implemented to provide additional amenity space for the residents at the ground level. The middle core of the building consists of stacked amenity spaces, joining the two halves of the building vertically. The building mass is a U-shape, that steps back at the top levels to create private resident patios and to transition to the residential neighborhood beyond. Textured metal panels wrap the façade to create a clean profile for the project with sunshades at each window to add depth. Lastly, the roof will be host to a large solar array.⁠

With the focus on students, we designed a welcoming, open lobby and leasing office with a coffee shop for activation. The lobby focal point is a curved, glossy feature staircase, complete with a banquette in front of a two-story fireplace. Open still – the clubroom, coworking, and fitness center are free flowing around the corner. DJR incorporated a welcoming connection point between the lobby and connected retail space for a comfortable “live-work-play” approach to the residence. This project also has some additional, unique programming. Stacking up the front of the façade, there are spaces designated for karaoke and film screening, a coworking library, and a flex fitness space designed to host classes.

With an extremely aggressive student housing market in California, our interior palette and use of bold, punchy patterns makes for a memorable, boutique living experience.