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Architects: Moore Ruble Yudell Architects and Planners
- Area: 267 ft²
- Year: 2015
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Photographs:Bruce Damonte, Alan Karchmer
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Manufacturers: POHL, Sedia Systems, C/S Erectors, McCarthy Building Companies, NBK North America, Overgaard
Text description provided by the architects. The Lower Sproul Redevelopment Project is a student based initiative that called for recasting the existing facilities at Lower Sproul Plaza into a revitalized and state-of-the-art facility combining both new construction and adaptive reuse strategies.
Students at University of California, Berkeley voted for a student fee hike to help the university fund the adaptive reuse, construction, and revitalization of the multi-building Lower Sproul Plaza. The master plan balances physical and programming needs; celebrates the diverse community of students, faculty, and staff; and creates a “living room” for student life and learning.
The redevelopment involved demolishing the concrete Eshleman Hall, built in the 1960s, and replaced it with a larger, more transparent building to expose activities within. The MLK Jr. Student Union was renovated and expanded, the Cesar Chavez Student Center was renovated, and the Pelican Building and alumni house were seismically strengthened. The project also included the addition of new planters, trees, seating, and a rain garden to the plaza.
Modern flexible spaces accommodate the evolving needs of future generations of students for student services, retail, food service, meeting space, and space for student organizations and student government. The Lower Sproul Redevelopment site will make the southern edge of campus on Bancroft Way a vibrant gateway between campus and community, with 24/7 activity.
