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UC Berkeley Switch Station 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 (Switch Station 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 Switch Station 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 Switch Station 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 (Switch Station 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 Switch Station 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.
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...
2020 Annual “Adopted Families” Holiday Program at Interactive Resources, Inc.
Annual gift giving to those in need has been a holiday tradition at Interactive Resources, Inc. for many years. This year, we worked with Richmond-based GRIP (Greater Richmond Interfaith Program), which provides emergency shelter and transitional housing for families...
Michelle Obama Elementary School’s Virtual Grand Opening to be held October 29th
Earlier this month, construction was completed on the brand new Michelle Obama Elementary School campus in Richmond, California. The new school is designed by Gould Evans and constructed by Overaa Construction. This Thursday, October 29th at 11am, the school will open...
47 Reasons to Celebrate on September 19!
Interactive Resources, Inc. celebrates our 47th anniversary today, September 19th! In these challenging and uncertain times, we are grateful to be able to continue to provide the architectural design, structural engineering, and historic preservation services that we...
A Summer Stroll to Senior Hall
A recent summer stroll through the University of California, Berkeley campus led us to Senior Hall, one of several current and recent projects of ours for UC Berkeley. Not many people know about this log cabin designed by John Galen Howard and completed shortly after...
Congressman DeSaulnier Introduces Legislation to add Nystrom Elementary to the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park
We're excited to share the following announcement from Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, who, along with Senators Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein, is introducing legislation to add Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond to the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front...
A Milestone for the Masquers Playhouse
We are excited for The Masquers Playhouse to have reached a major milestone in its journey to reopening! Today, an 880 pound steel support beam was installed that will contribute to the repairs to the historic theater, allowing it to re-open for performances (when...
Cutting-Edge Laboratory Design Project in Richmond, California
We recently completed a cutting-edge laboratory design project for our client Zygo Corporation, a global leader in advanced optical metrology systems. The facility in Richmond, California produces optics including the len(s) for the Keck Observatory in Hawaii, and the...
Essential Architecture: GSA, DGS & USPS
During this challenging time, we are thankful to be hard at work. Many of our clients are designated as essential, and we have two new on-call contracts to announce: with the General Services Administration (GSA) and with the Department of General Services (DGS), both...
Throwback Thursday: VHS footage from 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake Investigation
How’s this for a serious Throwback Thursday – more than 30 years ago, following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, Interactive Resources, Inc. was enlisted on an emergency basis to evaluate the condition of Candlestick Park, which was hosting the third game of the World...