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.
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.
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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.”
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 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.”
DSH Architecture used five aluminum Hula Hoops, woven with a spiral cat's cradle of rayon webbing, to create a playful perch for cats.
DSH Architecture used five aluminum Hula Hoops, woven with a spiral cat's cradle of rayon webbing, to create a playful perch for cats.
The stainless steel addition—what the DS+R calls the building's “public spine"—begins with the cantilevered café and culminates in a large LED screen with built-in speakers. Capable of showing images day or night, Renfro says the “the opportunities are myriad" for this venue. Previously not a nexus for foot traffic or public interest, he envisions that "people will go around the corner and hang out there, watch the screen during the day, catch a couple of shorts, or see little made-for-that-screen art pieces... this element will completely transform" the adjacent Addision Street.
The stainless steel addition—what the DS+R calls the building's “public spine"—begins with the cantilevered café and culminates in a large LED screen with built-in speakers. Capable of showing images day or night, Renfro says the “the opportunities are myriad" for this venue. Previously not a nexus for foot traffic or public interest, he envisions that "people will go around the corner and hang out there, watch the screen during the day, catch a couple of shorts, or see little made-for-that-screen art pieces... this element will completely transform" the adjacent Addision Street.
Eames DSW Molded Fiberglass chairs surround the dining table made of local wood and constructed by the owners.
Eames DSW Molded Fiberglass chairs surround the dining table made of local wood and constructed by the owners.
Kitchen DS. Tru Form Tiny
Kitchen DS. Tru Form Tiny
The oak dining table and Eames DSR side chairs are placed in the glass-enclosed side return.
The oak dining table and Eames DSR side chairs are placed in the glass-enclosed side return.
Lights, sound, and projections transform the loft at night. Even the light switches are by Buster + Punch, a nod to Desna’s DJ equipment.
Lights, sound, and projections transform the loft at night. Even the light switches are by Buster + Punch, a nod to Desna’s DJ equipment.
This open-concept Amsterdam loft features soaring 15-foot ceilings, an Eames lounge chair and ottoman, and a Jielde light. Throughout the home, Standard Studio architects Wouter Slot and Jurjen van Hulzen favored raw materials, including concrete, oiled oak, and hot-rolled steel, all of which complemented the original space's industrial feel. Tucked smartly underneath the loft, a compact home office features functional built-in shelving and an Eames DSR chair.
This open-concept Amsterdam loft features soaring 15-foot ceilings, an Eames lounge chair and ottoman, and a Jielde light. Throughout the home, Standard Studio architects Wouter Slot and Jurjen van Hulzen favored raw materials, including concrete, oiled oak, and hot-rolled steel, all of which complemented the original space's industrial feel. Tucked smartly underneath the loft, a compact home office features functional built-in shelving and an Eames DSR chair.
A mix of DSW and DSRA Eames Plastic Side Chairs from Vitra are seated at the dining table, which extends from a stainless steel countertop.
A mix of DSW and DSRA Eames Plastic Side Chairs from Vitra are seated at the dining table, which extends from a stainless steel countertop.
The garage was relocated, creating better access in and out of the garage and allowing the rest of the rear of the house to open to the exterior. The new location buffers the living spaces from the roadway.  The new garage acts as a showplace for the owners beloved restored 1970 Citroen DS.
The garage was relocated, creating better access in and out of the garage and allowing the rest of the rear of the house to open to the exterior. The new location buffers the living spaces from the roadway. The new garage acts as a showplace for the owners beloved restored 1970 Citroen DS.
A brick wall and reclaimed timber shelves add character and warmth against the modern grey kitchen units.  Eames DSW dining chairs and pendant lights by Muuto bring colourful Scandi touches.
A brick wall and reclaimed timber shelves add character and warmth against the modern grey kitchen units. Eames DSW dining chairs and pendant lights by Muuto bring colourful Scandi touches.
Maranda Pleasant, publisher of Origin Magazine, introduces the award-winning DJ Spooky (Paul Miller).
Maranda Pleasant, publisher of Origin Magazine, introduces the award-winning DJ Spooky (Paul Miller).
"By replacing the low-value, original garage and workshop, space was created within the original building envelope to create a three-bed, one-bath guest wing above," says DFJ Architects. This new wing is on the same level as the main residence and "is keyed into the existing roof pitch," so it fits seamlessly into the neighborhood.
"By replacing the low-value, original garage and workshop, space was created within the original building envelope to create a three-bed, one-bath guest wing above," says DFJ Architects. This new wing is on the same level as the main residence and "is keyed into the existing roof pitch," so it fits seamlessly into the neighborhood.
A DJ stand, located between the living room and dining area, comes in handy for parties.
A DJ stand, located between the living room and dining area, comes in handy for parties.
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Artist DJ Neff was comissioned to do the murals at the entry, the pool deck, and along the stairwell leading up to the pool.
Artist DJ Neff was comissioned to do the murals at the entry, the pool deck, and along the stairwell leading up to the pool.
Daily on-site events and activities include DJ, live music, curated film screenings, city excursions, and more.
Daily on-site events and activities include DJ, live music, curated film screenings, city excursions, and more.
"The bold concrete forms [in DS House] create a blank backdrop for the reinstatement of the indigenous landscape after bushfires...triggered a requirement for the majority of the vegetation to be removed,
"The bold concrete forms [in DS House] create a blank backdrop for the reinstatement of the indigenous landscape after bushfires...triggered a requirement for the majority of the vegetation to be removed,
DS House provides its inhabitants with a relaxed, private atmosphere. Planned Living Architects' extensive use of timber complements the raw, tactile character of the in situ concrete walls.
DS House provides its inhabitants with a relaxed, private atmosphere. Planned Living Architects' extensive use of timber complements the raw, tactile character of the in situ concrete walls.
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