The YMCA of the Central Bay Area sought to establish a Teen Center in downtown Berkeley. When Pacific Gas & Electric donated an 8,000-square-foot decommissioned payment center across from Berkeley High School, it provided the ideal opportunity for adaptive reuse. The design-build team transformed the 1964 concrete office building by opening it up with glazed storefronts, a new partial third story with roof deck, and flexible interior spaces. Bright colors reflect a youthful spirit. The $4.5 million renovation, completed in November 2010, comprises 13,500 square feet, is construction type IIIB, and is a combination of A-3 and B occupancy.

“This project is important for so many reasons. We are a Berkeley firm, committed to sustainable design, and we value the tremendous impact that the Y makes on our community. The best part, by far, is collaborating with the Teen Task Force.” – Janet Tam

Project Team:

Architecture: Noll & Tam

Interior designer: Noll & Tam

Contractor: Pankow Special Projects L.P

Civil Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers

Structural Engineer: Ingraham-DeJesse Associates

Mechanical Engineer: Timmons Design Engineers

Electrical Engineer: Timmons Design Engineers

Landscape: Dillingham Associates Landscaping 

Photographer: David Wakely Photography