1000 Gilman Street Complex

Location: Berkeley, CA
Owner: Wood Properties
Completion: Various Projects Dates: 1997-2005

This adaptive re-use project transformed a tire warehouse into a collection of artist and retail spaces. We developed distinctive areas for Traywick Gallery, Paulsen Press, Smith and Hawken, ZIA Houseworks, and Ethnic Arts. In addition to the adaptive re-use component of the project, we designed a new upscale two-story restaurant to serve as the anchor building of the complex, helping draw patrons to the other tenants.

This project involved redesign of the entries and façade. As an example, for ZIA, the furniture and art collectible store, we created a random composition of small windows for the south elevation, giving the store a distinct image. We also replaced the store’s original corrugated steel roll-up door with a large window facing the street. Natural wood framing divides this window into distinct quadratic spaces of varying sizes, complementing the south elevation windows. In keeping with the original structure, the use of natural-colored cement plaster blends the new façade with the old. The store’s entrance is located at the corner of its “L” shape, welcoming the customer to both gallery and display areas at the same time.