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UC Berkeley Substation 8 Receives 2026 California Preservation Award
Interactive Resources, Inc. is the architect and structural engineer for Rehabilitation and Seismic Upgrade on the Historic Campus Powerhouse (Substation 8) at the University of California, Berkeley. The project is the recipient of a 2026 California Preservation Award from the California Preservation Foundation.
This prestigious award recognizes outstanding achievements in historic preservation and celebrates projects that thoughtfully restore and revitalize California’s architectural heritage. The Substation 8 project exemplifies Interactive Resources’ integrated approach to architecture, structural engineering, and historic preservation, which brings new life to a significant campus landmark while supporting critical infrastructure improvements.
Other key team members include the general contractor, Webcor and the electrical design prime P2S. The historic evaluation was performed by Architectural Resources Group.
As part of UC Berkeley’s campus-wide electrification initiative, Interactive Resources was engaged to provide architectural, historic preservation, and structural engineering services for a new high-voltage switch station. When choosing a new site for the facility proved challenging, the team proposed an innovative solution: the adaptive reuse of a nearby 1904 powerhouse building, originally designed by renowned campus architect John Galen Howard.
Previously red-tagged due to seismic risk, the building, also known as the Old Art Gallery, underwent a comprehensive feasibility assessment before UC Berkeley advanced the project. The result is a restoration that returns the structure to its original purpose as a power station, now serving as Switch Station #8.
UC Berkeley Substation 8 Receives 2026 California Preservation Award
Interactive Resources, Inc. is the architect and structural engineer for Rehabilitation and Seismic Upgrade on the Historic Campus Powerhouse (Substation 8) at the University of California, Berkeley. The project is the recipient of a 2026 California Preservation Award from the California Preservation Foundation.
This prestigious award recognizes outstanding achievements in historic preservation and celebrates projects that thoughtfully restore and revitalize California’s architectural heritage. The Substation 8 project exemplifies Interactive Resources’ integrated approach to architecture, structural engineering, and historic preservation, which brings new life to a significant campus landmark while supporting critical infrastructure improvements.
Other key team members include the general contractor, Webcor and the electrical design prime P2S. The historic evaluation was performed by Architectural Resources Group.
As part of UC Berkeley’s campus-wide electrification initiative, Interactive Resources was engaged to provide architectural, historic preservation, and structural engineering services for a new high-voltage switch station. When choosing a new site for the facility proved challenging, the team proposed an innovative solution: the adaptive reuse of a nearby 1904 powerhouse building, originally designed by renowned campus architect John Galen Howard.
Previously red-tagged due to seismic risk, the building, also known as the Old Art Gallery, underwent a comprehensive feasibility assessment before UC Berkeley advanced the project. The result is a restoration that returns the structure to its original purpose as a power station, now serving as Switch Station #8.
Sonoma County, Department of Emergency Management, Community Emergency Resilience Sites
The County of Sonoma requires the construction of three Community Emergency Resilience Sites (CERS) at separate locations to support long-term disaster resilience. The operational support facilities will support dynamic community-level disaster response for the Sonoma...
San Francisco Federal Building – Federal Trade Commission Tenant Improvement
Interactive Resources, Inc. provided architectural design and engineering services for office and conference space remodels at the U.S. Federal Building in San Francisco. The tenant improvements are for the Federal Trade Commission, who will occupy space on the 3rd...
Cypress Lawn Memorial Park & Columbarium
Cypress Lawn Memorial Park was founded in 1892 by Hamden Holmes Noble as the final resting place for many prominent families across San Francisco and California. A member of the San Francisco Mining Exchange, Noble invested in hydroelectricity and launched a power...
Interactive Resources, Inc. Expands its Design Team
Interactive Resources, Inc. has announced the addition of five new design professionals to its staff. The firm provides architectural design, structural engineering and historic preservation services to a wide array of private and public sector clients. “We are seeing...
7 Stars Healing Center Cannabis Dispensary
This project entails the renovation of an existing office building in Richmond, California that was converted into a beautiful high-end cannabis dispensary. Our goal was to translate our client’s vision to create a warm, modern atmosphere designed with stylish...
AC Transit Customer Service Center Remodel is Now Complete
Interactive Resources, Inc. has had the opportunity to work with the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) on various projects over the past decade. Recently, Interactive Resources, Inc. remodeled the AC Transit Customer Service Center located on the main...
Congressman DeSaulnier Passes Measure to Expand Richmond’s Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park
We're excited to share the following announcement from Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, who has successfully passed a measure to add Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond to the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. Interactive Resources,...
In Memory of Sabrina Kurita
It is with great sadness that we share the news of Sabrina Kurita’s passing, following a hard-fought battle with breast cancer. Sabrina was our friend and colleague for more than a quarter of a century, and the sense of loss we share with all who knew and loved her is...
A Parklet for Park Place
Parklets are a growing trend in urban placemaking—public parking spaces that are converted to areas to congregate, dine and relax. This trend has been accelerated by public health guidelines during the pandemic, which in many cities mandate outdoor or take-out dining...
Major Capital Improvements for the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council
We are wrapping up a major capital improvements program for the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council (NCCRC) headquarters in Oakland, California. It’s great to see to see the finishing touches come together! The NCCRC's union members represent more than...