Berkeley-Built is an online design magazine created for Bay Area residents who are passionate about projects rooted in Berkeley values or connected to the Berkeley community.

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Maybe you care about good design and enjoy supporting local businesses. Maybe you're thinking more about the legacy we leave for future generations. Maybe you're simply looking to make your home or workspace more comfortable, beautiful, and sustainable.

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If any of this resonates with you, you're in the right place. Even in challenging times, there’s still a lot we can do to make a positive impact—starting right where we are.

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Warm regards,
The Berkeley-Built Team
In affiliation with the West Berkeley Design Loop.

Lawrence Grown, Managing Editor
Lynn Bradshaw, Content Manager
Additional editing by Sian Gibby and Lucie Everett

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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Welcome Berkeley-Built! We started this online design magazine to delight and inspire you–the residents of Berkeley and beyond. This project grew out of the West Berkeley Design Loop and BuyLocalBerkeley and we hope you will love it.

 

These are challenging times. But we are resilient and are taking care of ourselves and the people we care about. We each do what we can to protect and defend the priorities we hold dear. We continue to design and create within the circumstances of our times. Work continues on home remodels, ADUs, and educational spaces. We are making our environments soothing and healthy. 

 

So why Berkeley-Built? What is there to learn about the built environment of Berkeley, and things that are built in Berkeley? Berkeleyans have a particular sensibility. We consider broader issues when we make personal decisions. We like excellent design, but we also care about all the thought that went behind what we see. When building a home addition, concern about global warming and personal health inform us as we consider energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainable forestry. We care about products themselves, but we also care about their supply chains and life cycles. Where did they come from? Who made them, and what were the conditions of their labor? What will happen after we use these items? These are things Berkeleyans consider. If you think like a Berkeleyan then this magazine is for you. 

 

Please enjoy the beautiful images, and delve into the stories behind the designs. If you are considering a home project of any sort, we hope you will find useful local resources here. And if you would like to contribute to this magazine, we want to hear from you. 

 

Be safe, think things through, and take care of each other.

 

In solidarity,

 

Lawrence Grown

Managing Editor

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