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Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California

Berkeley, US
2008–2012
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. Modern multi-story building with white and wood facade next to a street. Pedestrians walk on sidewalks and a cyclist rides past in the foreground.
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. Modern multi-story building with white and wood facade next to a street. Pedestrians walk on sidewalks and a cyclist rides past in the foreground.

As part of UC Berkeley’s 2020 Long Range Development Plan, the Maximino Martinez Commons houses a sophomore residence hall and apartments for 416 upper-level students. The complex of single and double story units has access to light and air from two sides, creating naturally bright and well-ventilated living spaces.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. Axonometric sectional drawing of a two-story interior with staircase, bedrooms, living area, and dining area. The areas are highlighted in yellow and green.

These units are situated above a student concourse—a topographic ground plane that links the shared program with the surrounding landscape. The design prioritizes healthy and inspiring living environments for students, aiming to leave a positive legacy that does not burden future generations. At the same time, it raises public awareness of the relationship between progressive environmental strategies and the quality of urban life. More than just a residential project, the structure is intended to act as a catalyst for urban development, bringing vibrancy and vitality to the neighborhood.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. Modern multi-story building with a white and wooden facade on stilts, open square with stairs and seating, and people walking or sitting outdoors.

The project site includes the Anna Head Historic Structures Complex, a notable example of the brown shingle style in the Bay Area, a regional expression of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Rather than replicating the adjacent historic structures, the student housing complex presents a contemporary design that responds to their scale, orientation, and spatial organization. The building’s facade features durable, coated aluminum cladding, complemented by warm timber accents that add texture and depth.

Level 1

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. An open atrium with concrete columns, a skylight, and wood-trimmed ramps. People sit, walk, and converse on stairs and across several levels inside.
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. Modern multi-story building with a white and wooden facade on stilts, open square with stairs and seating, and people walking or sitting outdoors.
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. Modern multi-story building with white and wood facade next to a street. Pedestrians walk on sidewalks and a cyclist rides past in the foreground.
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Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. An open atrium with concrete columns, a skylight, and wood-trimmed ramps. People sit, walk, and converse on stairs and across several levels inside.
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. Modern multi-story building with a white and wooden facade on stilts, open square with stairs and seating, and people walking or sitting outdoors.
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. Modern multi-story building with white and wood facade next to a street. Pedestrians walk on sidewalks and a cyclist rides past in the foreground.
Client
University of California, Berkeley
Architects
Behnisch Architekten with EHDD, San Francisco, CA
Address

2520 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

Gross Area

13.192 qm / 141,998 sq.ft.

Gross Volume

40.583 cbm / 1,433,160 sq.ft

Photography

David Matthiessen

Competition

2008

Awards

2015 AIA Merit Award for design and sustainability

Section AA

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. An enclosed courtyard between yellow buildings with balconies and glass facades. The courtyard is landscaped with trees and pathways and offers seating for residents.

The quality of the outdoor spaces between the new and old buildings is a central focus of the development, providing a variety of areas for play, rest, and social interaction. These spaces are carefully designed to create transitions between public, semi-public, and private realms. Additionally, the existing arboretum of tree species gives the project a unique opportunity to nestle into a mature landscape. The building’s floor plates freely weave through the existing canopy, allowing the architecture to engage with the surrounding trees.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Maximino Martinez Commons, University of California. Aerial view of the building in the context of the surrounding cityscape.

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