1891 SOLANO AVENUE, BERKELEY
seriously local.
bringing the inside out ENTRANCE Red Oak Realty had its humble beginnings in a converted garage in Albany. Three years later, in 1979, the founders opened an office at 1891 Solano in Berkeley. Over the years the facade has been adjusted, but when we redesigned the interior in 2014, the city of Berkeley asked us to update our entrance to modern ADA specifications. This included adding a level-in platform for improved access. Rather than make the required fence an impediment to the space, the design, by Friedman Brueggemeyer, was created in order to extend the interior scheme to the outside world. The FSCcertified Ipe slats allow open sight lines and an inviting design. SOURCE: FRIEDMAN BRUEGGEMEYER - BERKELEY, CA
BEFORE PHOTOS: ROB JORDAN, WHISTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
modern usability SPACE BEFORE
Red Oak's Solano office remains the center of our operations in Berkeley. However, it was last remodeled in 1998. Since then the real estate industry, and the way people work, has changed dramatically. We wanted to re-imagine the space in a way that functions for the present while considering the future. You'll find that the office space has been completely rethought: It is more collaborative, flexible and innovative - all using a modern design aesthetic. The goal is to give agents more room to work, while working in a way that is more beneficial to their personal style. SOURCE: FRIEDMAN BRUEGGEMEYER - BERKELEY, CA; LAURA MARTIN BOVARD INTERIORS - OAKLAND, CA; RED OAK REALTY
PHOTOS: ROB JORDAN, WHISTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
BEFORE
local-recycled-efficient GREEN While the ultimate goal was to create an office space that offers a comfortable place for every style of agent and client, it was imperative that we did so in an environmentally conscious manner. Red Oak is a certified green business through the Alameda County Green Business Program. We used locally sourced and recycled materials for the remodel, including the floor. We also we put forth great effort toward maximizing electrical efficiencies wherever possible: nearly all lighting is low-wattage LEDs, and the entire space is compliant with the new Title 24 energy standards. GREEN CERTIFICATION:ALAMEDA COUNTRY GREEN BUSINESS PROGRAM; STEEL LOGO: STEVE VIGEANT, BERKELEY SIGNS - BERKELEY, CA
PHOTOS: ROB JORDAN, WHISTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
BEFORE
splitting lane TABLE When we remodeled our Montclair office, the main table was built with reclaimed Redwood and live edges. For our Berkeley office we wanted something decidedly more classic. Enter Adam Lam, a local woodworking titan based in Richmond's Iron Triangle. Adam “got” what we were trying to do: create a table where everyone felt comfortable interacting and collaborating; a table that was functional yet beautiful enough to be the centerpiece of the room. Adam's neighbor, who happened to work with metal, added Corten steel and voila, all 70 square feet of our table was born. SOURCE: ADAM-LAM FURNITURE - RICHMOND, CA
PHOTOS: ROB JORDAN, WHISTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
BEFORE
comfortable innovation BOOTHS The restaurant-style booths are somewhat of an experiment. They were meant to bridge the gap between a casual conversation and a full-blown private meeting - an intimate space without being a formal conference room that is cut off from the rest of the interior space. The materials and upholstery were created by local artisans, and the tables and legs were once again custom-built by Adam Lam. Oh, and dont worry: it’s ostrich pleather. SOURCE: FRIEDMAN BRUEGGEMEYER - BERKELEY, CA; LAURA MARTIN BOVARD INTERIORS - OAKLAND, CA; RED OAK REALTY
PHOTO: ROB JORDAN, WHISTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
from russia with love LIGHTING We saw it in a design magazine… and we had to have it. Crafted and manufactured in Russia, it took almost six months to get this masterpiece from an overseas wood artisan halfway across the world. It was produced late, it was shipped late and it was held up in customs but alas, it showed up… in a package roughly the size of a Kleenex box. We unwrapped each delicate blade from a Russian tabloid newspaper and began to assemble it. The rest is history, and now we love our giant pine cone chandelier. SOURCE: PAVEL EEKRA - RUSSIA
PHOTO: ROB JORDAN, WHISTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
classic yet flexible DESKS Agents are encouraged to use their desks as a home base, but they're not restricted to that one space: They can slide into a booth or spend time at the communal table, too. We wanted a clean and soft design, striving to meld a classic look with contemporary materials. Made from MDF with Corten steel accents, the desks were hand-crafted, right down to the smallest detail, in Adam Lam's shop. SOURCE: ADAM-LAM FURNITURE - RICHMOND, CA
PHOTOS: ROB JORDAN, WHISTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
the nest CLIMATE Ever since it was launched, we were excited to install a Nest Thermostat in our office. And what better place to use it than a space that is almost always occupied? The Nest is a “smart” thermostat that adjusts temperature based on usage patterns. It even monitors weather in an effort to pre-empt any over- or underusage. This simple device has cut our energy consumption by over 20%. SOURCE: NEST (GOOGLE) - PALO ALTO, CA
PHOTO: ROB JORDAN, WHISTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
location, location... MAP Years ago this map was hanging in a Red Oak listing and the seller did not want to take it with him. It is now on loan from the Laurie Capitelli Archives; we feel so fortunate to be able to employ it as our focal point. The map is an original – not a reprint – right down to the brass frame. SOURCE: LAURIE CAPITELLI - BERKELEY, CA
PHOTO: ROB JORDAN, WHISTLE PHOTOGRAPHY