CLIENTUniversity of California, Berkeley
SERVICESBuilding Renovation, Interiors
LOCATIONBerkeley, CA
SIZE60,770 sq ft
STATUSCompleted 2006, 2012
Home to the Physics Department and 10 Nobel Laureates—and part of the University’s Integrated Physical Science Complex—this renovated historic classroom and lab building offers exciting, fundamental scholarship at the highest level, as well as the Berkeley Center for Cosmological Physics.



The Integrated Physical Science Complex consists of Physics South, the new astronomy and astrophysics building Campbell Hall (also designed by STUDIOS), as well the renovated Physics North and Birge Hall. The complex facilitates close interaction between students and faculty within the University’s growing interdisciplinary science programs. Physics South and Campbell Halls also literally bridge the gap between astronomers and physicists with a new open-air bridge that connects the two buildings.
The historic four-story building was designed by renowned architect John Galen Howard and built in 1926. As part of the renovation, we uncovered and restored an original skylight with energy efficient, high performance glass to provide natural light and a focal point for the Berkeley Center for Cosmological Physics.


“[The building] stimulates interaction, discussion and collaboration...and inspires the occupants with the beauty and history of the preserved, restored building.”
Judy Chess, Director of Capital Projects


PHOTOGRAPHYMichael O’Callahan
Awards
- ULI Washington Awards for Excellence, Finalist | MLK Gateway II
- Future of Work Awards, Jury’s Special Prize | Ledger HQ
- BIM d’Or, Tech Show Awards | Google AI Hub
- Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Awards, Office Renovation, Winner | Meta EMEA Headquarters
- Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Awards, Medium Tech Office: Finalists | WHOOP Headquarters
- ULI Europe Awards for Excellence : Winner | L’Atelier Covivio
- Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Awards, Finalist: Large Early Education | Raymond Elementary School
- AIA DC, Awards of Excellence in Architecture, Chapter Design Award: Winner | Raymond Elementary School
- ULI Washington Awards of Excellence, Excellence in Institutional Development: Winner | Raymond Elementary School
- ULI Washington Awards of Excellence: Finalists | Raymond Elementary School
- USGBC, US Local Market Leadership Swards DC, MD, VA, Decarbonization Award: Winner | Raymond Elementary School
- Fast Company, Innovation by Design Awards, Best Workplace Design: Honorable Mention | WHOOP Headquarters
- Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award, Display Installations: Winner | Welcome Galleries at the National Building Museum
- Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award, Best in office Buildings: Winner | Meta EMEA Headquarters
- Interior Design Magazine, NYCxDesign Awards: Finalist | 825 Third Avenue
- CoreNet NYC Design Excellence Awards, Project of the Year Under 25K sq ft: Winner | 825 Third Avenue
- USGBC, US Local Market Leadership Awards DC, MD, VA, Judge’s Choice Award: Winner | MLK Gateway II
- NAIOP DC MD Awards of Excellence, Best Washington DC Urban Office: Winner | MLK Gateway II
- CoreNet New England Awards of Excellence, Large Workplace: Winner | WHOOP Headquarters