Location

Albany, CA

Size

326,588 GSF
286 units
761 beds

Services

Architecture, Planning

Completion

2024

The xučyun ruwway (HOOCH-yoon ROO-wai) Graduate Student Apartments in U.C. Berkeley’s University Village house 761 students in apartment-style units. To optimize density and capacity, which ultimately leads to affordability, the design team emphasized programming and massing studies from the beginning. There was careful consideration given to context, appropriateness of scale, orientation, and sustainability.

xučyun ruwway is a name in Chochenyo, which is the language of the Ohlone people. This is the first time Berkeley has given a name in any Indigenous language to a campus building.

A street-level view of xucyun ruwway at UC Berkeley

The entrance of xucyun ruwway at U.C. Berkeley

The fully-furnished apartments are designed to optimize views, daylight, and natural ventilation with open air corridors and exterior stairways. The ‘front door’ opens on a new multi-modal transit plaza with bus pull-in, shaded seating, bike storage for residents and visitors, and dedicated facilities for AC Transit.

An inner view of the staircase at U.C. Berkeley's xucyun ruwway

A close-up of the facade of U.C. Berkeley xucyun ruwway

The courtyard view of UC Berkeley xucyun ruwway

The housing wings are organized around three courtyards, each with unique opportunities for passive relaxation, socializing, and active programming to facilitate a sense of community. The design for the courtyards includes areas for barbeque gatherings, outdoor movie nights, and fitness-wellness activities. Students will also have access to various social and well-being spaces scattered through the building, including lounges, study areas, and meeting rooms.

Ayers Saint Gross worked with American Campus Communities, Kevin Daly Architects, and CMG Landscape Architects on this project.

An interior view of the xucyun ruwway student housing at U.C. Berkeley

Inner lobby of xucyun ruwway at U.C. Berkeley

The lobby view of UC Berkeley's xucyun ruwway

A student suite inside U.C. Berkeley xucyun ruwway

Partners

American Campus Communities – Developer
Kevin Daly Architects – Design Consultant
CMG Landscape Architects – Landscape Architect

Next Project

Harlem Park Neighborhood Plan

Harlem Park Community Development Corporation

xučyun ruwway Graduate Student Housing

Harlem Park Neighborhood Plan

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