Amistad House honored with Biennial Award for Design Excellence

Written by Berkeley Design Advocates

Modest changes can achieve meaningful results and are important to recognize. That was the Berkeley Design Awards Jury's conclusion about the renovation of this 60-unit affordable housing building.

The additions give the building both a stronger identity and a more welcoming entrance, where before there was only a shingled anonymity. A new steel trellis cleverly incorporating the name of the complex - AMISTAD - defines the front door while a new monument made from Cor-ten steel and engraved with the name and address of the complex forms one corner of the fence along the sidewalk. Both structures subtly enhance the building facade. Inside, the new common areas are carefully upgraded with rolling barn doors, contemporary fixtures, inventive flooring, and an understated and soothing color palette. This is a fine example of memorable modesty.