5900 Hollis Street

Emeryville, CA

Seeking a vibrant and collaborative work environment post-pandemic that would offer inspiring and communal spaces, Silverman and Light, an electrical engineering and lighting design firm, reached out to SBA to design their new offices in Emeryville, CA.

The original 1912 factory building, converted in the 1980s to offices, had dark, warren-like first floor interiors, with exposed wood ceilings, steel trusses, and expansive clerestories on the mezzanine level.  New mezzanine floor openings were added, and existing openings were enlarged to bring the abundant upper-level light to the first floor; offices and conference rooms were given extensive frameless glazing for visual connections throughout; and a variety of collaborative spaces, such as the mezzanine kitchen and communal table, were given top priority in the design.

Photography: Ken Gutmaker