Renovation of Berkeley High School Theater - Berkeley, CA
Photo Credit: Berkeley Unified School District
Category: Schools
Overall Area: 107,000 ft²
Services Provided: Commissioning
Completion Date: 2024
Owner: Berkeley Unified School District
Architect: CAW Architects
Contractor(s):
Construction Manager: Van Pelt Construction Services
General Contractor: Alten Construction
Mechanical/Plumbing: Dowdle and Sons Mechanical
Controls: Syserco
TAB: Carter Air Balance
Electrical: Scott Electric
Project Description
The Berkeley High School Theater Renovation project encompasses a comprehensive upgrade and modernization of the theater facilities, including a classroom wing, main theater with audience chamber and stage, and a little theater. The project covers various occupancy types: A-1, A-3, B, E, and S-1, and features construction type I-A with a fire sprinkler system. The theater is a historic site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places for two districts: Berkeley High School Historic District and Berkeley Civic Center Historic District. This project included Title 24 Commissioning and adhered to CALGreen codes.
Pragmatic Professional Engineers managed the commissioning through Eichler Associates Inc. for the new HVAC equipment, lighting controls, and plumbing systems. Key features of the project include:
HVAC System: Installation of VAV units with hot water coils, air handling units with fans, cooling coils, and hot water coils, fan coils, exhaust fans, hydronic heating package skid including a hot water boiler and heating hot water pumps, air-cooled chiller, refrigerant condensing units, and indoor air conditioning units.
Lighting Control System: Implementation of Crestron controls.
Plumbing System: Installation of tankless water heaters and a storage tank water heater.
The renovation aimed to preserve the historic integrity of the theater while enhancing its functionality and sustainability, providing an improved environment for educational and theatrical activities.