News + Ideas
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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.
Meet Marilou Sasai and Michael McCombe!
We're pleased to introduce two new team members: Michael McCombe and Marilou Sasai. Michael McCombe has more than 20 years of experience in CADD drafting and is working toward his architectural license. He is a designer/drafter who cares about exceptional results. At...
In the News: PowerPlant Park in Richmond
Our cannabis industry project PowerPlant Park is poised to bring hundreds of new jobs and millions of dollars in additional tax revenue for the City of Richmond, and the news media is taking notice. KPIX journalist Katie Nielsen interviewed our President Tom Butt and...
At the Vanguard of the Green Rush in Richmond – PowerPlant Park
Richmond, California PowerPlant Park is a planned cannabis agricultural community and campus, the first legal project of its kind in the State of California. Investors chose to locate on the Richmond shoreline for its sweeping unobstructed views of San Francisco Bay,...
Trends in Cannabis Dispensary Design – Blooming Organics Case Study
Pasadena, California The cannabis retail experience is rapidly evolving. As the industry matures, it is working to escape preconceptions of the typical cannabis collective. For example, many shops have the temporary look and feel of a re-purposed space put together by...
What it Means to be a Green Business: “People. Planet. Profit.”
Interactive Resources, Inc. was first certified as a California Green Business in 2010, and we recently received re-certification following an in-depth quadrennial audit by the Contra Costa Green Business Program.What does it mean to be a green...
City of San Carlos Youth Center Gets a Makeover
After an extensive remodel by Interactive Resources, Inc., The City of San Carlos' Youth Center has reopened its doors for service to the community. The City commissioned Interactive Resources, Inc. to upgrade its existing twenty-year-old Youth Center to better...
The Unique Mix of Cannabis Dispensary Design
One of the many exciting things about how the cannabis industry is evolving in California is that legalization has provided a new way for all players to communicate with each other and share. I think there’s plenty of room for innovation in the field. The adventure in...
Interactive Resources, Inc.’ Cannabis Facility Design Expertise featured in October Issue of Professional Services Management Journal
The Professional Services Management Journal is a great source for research and advice for architecture, engineering, and consulting firm leaders. Our cannabis facility design services are featured in its October issue in an article by Steve Cardone titled “This Niche...
Expansive New High Tech Cannabis Grow Facilities as a Trend
We’ve been designing cannabis facilities with ever increasing size. The pace was already picking up in 2017, and with the start of 2018, it launched into high gear. Among several cannabis projects, I’ve been working on a brand new 123,000 sf facility that I planned...
Welcome Back, Jamie Brown!
We are thoroughly enjoying the temporary return to Interactive Resources, Inc. of Jamie Brown, who left two years ago to fulfill an adventure/dream of teaching English in Japan. Jamie is a California licensed architect, a black belt in Kung Fu, and an accomplished...