J-Sei Community Center

Location: Emeryville, CA
Owner: J-Sei
Completion: Summer 2016

J-Sei is a multi-generational and multi-cultural organization with roots in Nikkei values and culture. With a rich history in providing care and assistance to seniors, they recently expanded their services and programs to include families and younger generations. J-Sei needed a space large and flexible enough to meet both increasing needs and serve as a community hub. They found it in an existing two story 13,500 sq ft warehouse located in a quiet, mixed-use neighborhood close to shopping and transportation.

J-Sei’s new building will allow them to provide educational programs of interest to all generations such as classes on Japanese culture and arts, as well as provide meeting and programming space for J-Sei member organizations. About 10,000 sq ft will be converted into a community assembly space with activity areas of differing sizes plus offices, reception and supporting spaces. Scope of work includes the addition of a commercial kitchen for their lunch program and 20 off-street parking stalls.