This historically significant 4-story building, constructed of masonry bearing walls and wood floors, occupies a rectangular 1.5 acre site in West Oakland, CA. One leg of the L-shaped structure was built in 1912, while the second was completed in 1917. Originally used as an incandescent light factory by General Electric (GE) and designed by the Austin Company, the site continued under GE ownership in 1962 when the division closed. At the time, the building was used by California Cotton Mills in the manufacture of cotton mops. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake resulted in the failure and removal of a north bay of the west wing, not to be rebuilt in the rehabilitation project. The structure is noted for being the first industrial building on the West Coast to employ women.
In its modern context, the 116,000 square-foot building is situated in an up-and-coming postindustrial residential neighborhood. With the building purchased in 2003, the final construction culminated in Summer 2014. With close proximity to public transportation and quick driving accessibility to San Francisco, this project establishes itself as a pioneer in the revitalization of West Oakland.
The rehabilitation design intended to restore the building’s original details while establishing 92 comfortable live/work spaces. The interior was subdivided into loft-style units on the top 3 floors, ranging in size from 1-room studios to 3-bedroom apartments. The architectural approach responded to the unique spaces created by its original factory interior, establishing both ‘typical’ and ‘atypical’ interior layouts and integrating industrial detail into the overall aesthetic of the units.
The new construction maintained exposed brick, support beams, and other details where possible, while introducing new materials to mirror the reused resources. A unique result of this approach is the lofted ceilings which range from 14 to 24 feet high, maximizing daylight in the live/work units. The reuse of industrial materials already available within the structure was a central tenet to the design. This utilitarian approach provided the concurrent advantages of conserving resources while preserving the building’s historical value and staying true to its post-industrial urban setting. The design also integrated water conservation by installing low-flow water faucets and toilets in every unit, as well as a bioswale along the side of the parking lot for stormwater management and to ease pressure on the water supply. The concrete in the flooring utilizes flyash, which both improves the quality of the flooring and diverts industrial byproduct from the wastestream. The first-floor lobby also integrates salvaged material from the existing building into wall material by the main staircase.
Responding to the urban setting of the building, certain graffiti pieces were preserved in public and private portions of the building. Consistent with the preserved factory structure throughout the building, the third story clerestory was incorporated alternatively in the units and in the hallway, bringing light to each. Black metal features such as spiral staircases in some units complement the heavy beams and light wooden window frames bordering panoramic views of San Francisco and Oakland.
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