Emeryville Lofts    Emeryville, California

This former fruit-drying warehouse, originally constructed in 1925, was converted into a contemporary live/work loft community in 1999 and offers a unique garden oasis with communal and private outdoor spaces for residents.  The main entry court features a 54-foot waterfall. Water descends along a corrugated form and drops into a pond that runs the full length of the garden. The garden is paved with flagstone and salt-finished concrete. Galvanized sheet metal is used to create a basketweave effect in the curving fences that define the private garden areas. Engineered lumber is used for the entry decking, providing a textured, low-maintenance surface. Tall palm trees give a sense of scale against the six-story building. Timber bamboo creates a grove adjacent to the garden pool. Full-scale and dwarf Japanese maples, along with ferns and jasmine, provide a variety of textures. 

Awards

2001: Builder's Choice Grand Award - Builder's Magazine and National Association of Home Builders
2001: Gold Nugget Award of Merit: Best Mixed-Use Project - Pacific Coast Builders Conference 

Client: Holliday Development
Architect:  David Baker Architects
Contractor: Cannon Constructors