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The kitchen features Ikea Sektion cabinets and Whirlpool appliances. The dining area contains a table from CB2, a George Nelson pendant, and Eames molded fiberglass chairs that were picked up at the Alameda Flea Market.
The kitchen features Ikea Sektion cabinets and Whirlpool appliances. The dining area contains a table from CB2, a George Nelson pendant, and Eames molded fiberglass chairs that were picked up at the Alameda Flea Market.
Remodeled by resident and interior decorator Jill McCoy and her husband David Hassall with the help of architect Paul Molina, the open-plan living space opens to a small outdoor area. French doors and a wall of windows bring in light. An Eames lounge chair and a Noguchi table add a modern sensibility.
Remodeled by resident and interior decorator Jill McCoy and her husband David Hassall with the help of architect Paul Molina, the open-plan living space opens to a small outdoor area. French doors and a wall of windows bring in light. An Eames lounge chair and a Noguchi table add a modern sensibility.
The space is designed for easy indoor-outdoor access.
The space is designed for easy indoor-outdoor access.
According to the video MacDermed created to describe his vision for the house before his death in 2022, he had planned to transform the top level into an open music studio.
According to the video MacDermed created to describe his vision for the house before his death in 2022, he had planned to transform the top level into an open music studio.
Deeds hung a single Louis Poulsen PH5 lamp from the ceiling; its blue and red interior paint “is very friendly to human skin tones,” she says. Photo by Lenny Gonzalez
Deeds hung a single Louis Poulsen PH5 lamp from the ceiling; its blue and red interior paint “is very friendly to human skin tones,” she says. Photo by Lenny Gonzalez
Autograph offices in Berkeley, California
Autograph offices in Berkeley, California
Autograph offices in Berkeley, California
Autograph offices in Berkeley, California
"Light colors make [your space] feel more spacious and airy," says Macy Miller. Miller's compact home in Boise, Idaho, built for only $11,000, is featured in our September issue.
"Light colors make [your space] feel more spacious and airy," says Macy Miller. Miller's compact home in Boise, Idaho, built for only $11,000, is featured in our September issue.
Local 123 and Flowerland is the East Bay's version of S.F. favorite Flora Grubb.
Local 123 and Flowerland is the East Bay's version of S.F. favorite Flora Grubb.
Before the 1969 Airstream was home to Local 123, it belonged to Oakland's Remedy Coffee. Hoffman and her team of helpers worked for three months to revamp the interior and bring it up to Alameda County's rigorous health code. "We enlisted the help of our artist friend and Local 123 Gallery curator Alex Case to fix the shoddy cover-up work, build out a proper hand sink, add storage shelving and stereo cabinet areas, install aluminum cove base, clean up and seal existing wood finishes, repair plumbing lines, reroute the precariously hung electrical conduit, and rodent- and weatherproof the trailer's floor. Friends and family helped repaint, deep clean the interior and aluminum exterior, and adorn the trailer," recounts Hoffman.
Before the 1969 Airstream was home to Local 123, it belonged to Oakland's Remedy Coffee. Hoffman and her team of helpers worked for three months to revamp the interior and bring it up to Alameda County's rigorous health code. "We enlisted the help of our artist friend and Local 123 Gallery curator Alex Case to fix the shoddy cover-up work, build out a proper hand sink, add storage shelving and stereo cabinet areas, install aluminum cove base, clean up and seal existing wood finishes, repair plumbing lines, reroute the precariously hung electrical conduit, and rodent- and weatherproof the trailer's floor. Friends and family helped repaint, deep clean the interior and aluminum exterior, and adorn the trailer," recounts Hoffman.
Local 123 is open Wednesday through Monday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (though the nursery is closed Tuesdays. Find the cafe at 1330 Solano Avenue in Albany, California. For more information, please visit local123cafe.com.
Local 123 is open Wednesday through Monday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (though the nursery is closed Tuesdays. Find the cafe at 1330 Solano Avenue in Albany, California. For more information, please visit local123cafe.com.
The nursery has continually been in operation since the 1940s and is peppered with vintage artifacts.
The nursery has continually been in operation since the 1940s and is peppered with vintage artifacts.
Local 123's creamer station rests atop an orange metal ironing board found at Berkeley's Urban Ore.
Local 123's creamer station rests atop an orange metal ironing board found at Berkeley's Urban Ore.
Here's some of the cafe's glassware emblazoned with their logo.
Here's some of the cafe's glassware emblazoned with their logo.
Some fine latte work by Ebel; the drink was excellent.
Some fine latte work by Ebel; the drink was excellent.
"Most of the existing brewing equipment was damaged or beyond repair, so we bought a Fetco Extractor for small-batch drip brewing, set up an inexpensive but sleek pourover bar (scale, Hario v60 dripper, Able Kone metal and paper filters), installed a new Ditting for grinding bulk coffee and Mazzer Kony-E for espresso," says Hoffman.
"Most of the existing brewing equipment was damaged or beyond repair, so we bought a Fetco Extractor for small-batch drip brewing, set up an inexpensive but sleek pourover bar (scale, Hario v60 dripper, Able Kone metal and paper filters), installed a new Ditting for grinding bulk coffee and Mazzer Kony-E for espresso," says Hoffman.
Once inside, Hoffman (right) and Ebel (left) make an espresso drink. "With the help of our roaster friends at Four Barrel, we revived a 3-group Linea-AV La Marzocco, our workhorse of an espresso machine," says Hoffman.
Once inside, Hoffman (right) and Ebel (left) make an espresso drink. "With the help of our roaster friends at Four Barrel, we revived a 3-group Linea-AV La Marzocco, our workhorse of an espresso machine," says Hoffman.
Hoffman let us tour the interior. Here's the side door.
Hoffman let us tour the interior. Here's the side door.
A diorama inside the nursery shop, which is prime for perusing.
A diorama inside the nursery shop, which is prime for perusing.
Cake stands sourced from local thrift shops display an array of cookies and sandwiches. On any given day you might find dark chocolate sea salt cookies, flourless peanut butter cookies, and hand-rolled vegan truffles.
Cake stands sourced from local thrift shops display an array of cookies and sandwiches. On any given day you might find dark chocolate sea salt cookies, flourless peanut butter cookies, and hand-rolled vegan truffles.
The cafe is situated in Flowerland Nursery, which was first opened in the 1940s. The current owner, Carly Dennett, bought Flowerland about three-and-a-half years ago (she's only the third person to own the historic business). At the time, it was mostly selling sod, pesticides, and fertilizers. "It was kind of stuck in time," she says. Now, green-thumbed shoppers can peruse aisle upon aisle of flowers, vegetable starters, succulents, garden accessories, outdoor furniture, and more at the shop. "Dennett, a Local 123 regular, approached me about setting up a coffee cart at her nursery. We had been looking for the right second location for over a year at that time and I knew immediately from her vibe and her gorgeous shop that this was it," says Hoffman.
The cafe is situated in Flowerland Nursery, which was first opened in the 1940s. The current owner, Carly Dennett, bought Flowerland about three-and-a-half years ago (she's only the third person to own the historic business). At the time, it was mostly selling sod, pesticides, and fertilizers. "It was kind of stuck in time," she says. Now, green-thumbed shoppers can peruse aisle upon aisle of flowers, vegetable starters, succulents, garden accessories, outdoor furniture, and more at the shop. "Dennett, a Local 123 regular, approached me about setting up a coffee cart at her nursery. We had been looking for the right second location for over a year at that time and I knew immediately from her vibe and her gorgeous shop that this was it," says Hoffman.
Local 123 serves coffee and pastries daily, and sandwiches on weekends.
Local 123 serves coffee and pastries daily, and sandwiches on weekends.
DS+R partner Charles Renfro says the University wanted the musuem—which is situated at the crossroads of an arts district, the city of Berkeley, Berkeley’s campus, and a commercial district—to play a prominent role in community life. "Museums have changed in past 50 years,” says Renfro, “in such a way that they're much more civic institutions.” The 83,000 square-foot building will include 25,000 square feet of gallery space, two theaters, four study centers, a reading room, an art-making lab, numerous gathering areas, and a café (seen here) that's cantilevered over the main entrance. Set to open January 31, 2016, the museum's most striking feature is a stainless steel-clad volume that contains the larger of its two theaters.
DS+R partner Charles Renfro says the University wanted the musuem—which is situated at the crossroads of an arts district, the city of Berkeley, Berkeley’s campus, and a commercial district—to play a prominent role in community life. "Museums have changed in past 50 years,” says Renfro, “in such a way that they're much more civic institutions.” The 83,000 square-foot building will include 25,000 square feet of gallery space, two theaters, four study centers, a reading room, an art-making lab, numerous gathering areas, and a café (seen here) that's cantilevered over the main entrance. Set to open January 31, 2016, the museum's most striking feature is a stainless steel-clad volume that contains the larger of its two theaters.
Point Zero homes don't just keep out the bad—by practically eliminating VOC chemicals, for instance—but they also let in the good. Each design allows abundant natural light and connections to the outdoors. The Berkeley, for instance, also features a balcony on the guest bedroom, a covered outdoor dining area, and a 252-square-foot outdoor deck.
Point Zero homes don't just keep out the bad—by practically eliminating VOC chemicals, for instance—but they also let in the good. Each design allows abundant natural light and connections to the outdoors. The Berkeley, for instance, also features a balcony on the guest bedroom, a covered outdoor dining area, and a 252-square-foot outdoor deck.
"We talked about expanding the house out, but worried that the new space would be squeezed in, or mess with the architectural lines of the Esherick house." - Emma Gimon
"We talked about expanding the house out, but worried that the new space would be squeezed in, or mess with the architectural lines of the Esherick house." - Emma Gimon
At the opposite end of the "public spine" is the café, rendered here looking north from within (or near) the cantilever over the entrance.
At the opposite end of the "public spine" is the café, rendered here looking north from within (or near) the cantilever over the entrance.
The first floor gallery space features classic industrial architecture: sawtooth skylights and polished concrete floors.
The first floor gallery space features classic industrial architecture: sawtooth skylights and polished concrete floors.
The aerodynamic curves of the addition—which conceals a 232 seat auditorium—were inspired by the Streamline Moderne style of Art Deco. The original building, seen left, will retain its Art Deco facade. While much of the new construction is underground, it’s far from hidden, as the glass wall between the old and new buildings hints.
The aerodynamic curves of the addition—which conceals a 232 seat auditorium—were inspired by the Streamline Moderne style of Art Deco. The original building, seen left, will retain its Art Deco facade. While much of the new construction is underground, it’s far from hidden, as the glass wall between the old and new buildings hints.
Glass walls and floors allow passerby to peak into the spaces below. “That was tricky to do too, the glass sidewalk,” says Renfro, “not only because it's exposed to Berkeley life, which is a little more rough-and-tumble than people imagine [but] we're in one of the highest seismic zones in the country.” In fact, the combination of old Art Deco and modern Art Deco-inspired architecture is far more than symbolic: “the new addition…is actually an armature that helps the old building achieve seismic stability. So, in fact, they don't just visibly support each other and embrace each other, they actually work together structurally in a seismic capacity. They’re codependent elements.”
Glass walls and floors allow passerby to peak into the spaces below. “That was tricky to do too, the glass sidewalk,” says Renfro, “not only because it's exposed to Berkeley life, which is a little more rough-and-tumble than people imagine [but] we're in one of the highest seismic zones in the country.” In fact, the combination of old Art Deco and modern Art Deco-inspired architecture is far more than symbolic: “the new addition…is actually an armature that helps the old building achieve seismic stability. So, in fact, they don't just visibly support each other and embrace each other, they actually work together structurally in a seismic capacity. They’re codependent elements.”
Architect Thom Faulders inside his Berkeley studio.
Architect Thom Faulders inside his Berkeley studio.
A rendering of the main theater’s interior; BAMPFA’s collection includes more than 17,500 videos and films and features “the largest collection of Japanese cinema outside Japan, impressive holdings of Soviet cinema, West Coast avant-garde film,” and more, according to the University.
A rendering of the main theater’s interior; BAMPFA’s collection includes more than 17,500 videos and films and features “the largest collection of Japanese cinema outside Japan, impressive holdings of Soviet cinema, West Coast avant-garde film,” and more, according to the University.
The First Unitarian Church of Berkeley designed by Albert Schweinfurth is now on the UC Berkeley campus and houses the UC Dance Studio.
The First Unitarian Church of Berkeley designed by Albert Schweinfurth is now on the UC Berkeley campus and houses the UC Dance Studio.
As in the living room and kitchen, the cottage’s sole bedroom features linens from IKEA.
As in the living room and kitchen, the cottage’s sole bedroom features linens from IKEA.
The new 232 seat theater seems weightless within the stainless steel shell. “It literally floats as an object free on all sides,” says Renfro, “in a void above the film archives, studies centers, and education center. That glass allows the object to be seen from… above but it also lets light down to the study center and archives below.” The museum extends farther into the earth where some of the its artworks—which number 19,000 and range from contemporary photography to Neolithic ceramics—are on display. In contrast to the warehouse galleries, these subterranean exhibition spaces are more traditional, enclosed, rectangular galleries.
The new 232 seat theater seems weightless within the stainless steel shell. “It literally floats as an object free on all sides,” says Renfro, “in a void above the film archives, studies centers, and education center. That glass allows the object to be seen from… above but it also lets light down to the study center and archives below.” The museum extends farther into the earth where some of the its artworks—which number 19,000 and range from contemporary photography to Neolithic ceramics—are on display. In contrast to the warehouse galleries, these subterranean exhibition spaces are more traditional, enclosed, rectangular galleries.
“We loved this idea to adaptively re-use the printing press building along with its administration building,” Renfro adds, “because it contained a space that is the most idealized 20th and 21st century contemporary art space: the warehouse.”
“We loved this idea to adaptively re-use the printing press building along with its administration building,” Renfro adds, “because it contained a space that is the most idealized 20th and 21st century contemporary art space: the warehouse.”

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