Located in an industrial neighborhood of Oakland, CA, this project takes advantage of local live/work rezoning standards combining two units of light industrial studios (sculpture) at ground level with living units above.  Responding to the client’s request to utilize cost saving means, a prefabricated steel structure was pursued and numerous low-cost cladding and rain screen options were explored including rubberized membranes, moldable concrete cloth, reclaimed scaffolding planks and reflective water-proofing membranes.  Ultimately, in an effort to maintain a $100 US/square foot construction cost, a design solution of using custom tinted translucent corrugated FRP panels was reached in order to create a “floating” effect for the water-tight living units suspended above the luminous work spaces below.

for SAAT Architecture