Advanced Technology Education Park

The Advanced Technology Education Park (ATEP) is a educational component of the Tustin Legacy Project, a large scale development with a mix of retail, commercial/business, residential and recreational uses located in Tustin, CA on the old Marine Corps Air Station site.  ATEP will be lead by the South Orange County Community College District that includes Saddleback and Irvine Valley College. With nearby amenities such as the Tustin Metrolink Station and mixed used retail and entertainment venues, ATEP has the opportunity to become an innovative education park that changes the way students interact with their environment and prospective private business that will reside within the site. ATEP is seen as a node that involves a new method of innovation, where public and private ventures are juxtaposed to create a porous environment of thought and creation.

One of the challenges presented while establishing the design guidelines was how to create a porous site where the main circulation is not tied to one single walkway path, but to provide multiple vines that guide the user to different experiences within the site. Working together with landscape architects RELM, we decided to create three main circulations:

• Paseos that lead to the main entrances of each building are differentiated by its hardscape, and are anchored by building entrances.
• Street facing paths are designed with sidewalks incorporating trees on both sides. The main goal was to incorporate the façade articulation of each building with a subtle walkway.
• The main artery is the center of the park, designed with multiple paths, each lead to a different user experience. It will be anchored on both sides with building facades that are more transparent and that open to the outside space. This in turn creates an open environment where paths and the massing of building façade treatments are subtle and create a seamless transition from the outside to the inside.

The focus of these different circulation paths is to increase interaction on the campus between the start up businesses and the college students, this increased interaction will give students a modern day education, where they can directly interact with businesses providing a modern career-technical education.

For more information about ATEP visit: http://www.atepland.com/

East Los Charter Middle School

We're making great progress on the East Los Angeles Charter Middle School. Construction began October 2017 and this week the framing has gone up for the multipurpose room. The resulting building will be a 2 story-facility  containing 22 classrooms, each of which face the south, allowing for natural light in all classrooms. This new East Los Angeles Charter Middle School will focus on STEAM education. 

High Tech LA - Middle School

Continuing our long standing relationship, beginning with the design of High-Tech Los Angeles High School, Berliner is currently designing a new middle school for High-Tech LA students grades 6 through 8. Now starting construction documents, the new middle school is intended as a gateway school to the existing HTLA High School. The new 29,000 SF school supports STEM education through a combination of traditional classrooms and collaborative work spaces.

Located on the same campus as the Lenox YMCA, the school is working with the Y for shared facilities so that HTLA students may use the YMCA gym and pool and that the YMCA could use the school's Multi Purpose Room.

Meet Betty!

Introducing one of Berliner's fantastic workers - meet Betty! She's the official office dog and works part time, many of you have met her when stopping by our office. She's a great co-worker who brings the cuteness and specializes in greeting customers and consultants, chewing on antlers and snuggling with her favorite toy pig. 

Her profile is up on our team page, get to know her and the rest of the awesome team here at Berliner!

Berliner Architects' resident doggo

Help Fund Lego League Robotics at Wright Middle School

Last week we shared our work on renovating the science and robotics labs at LAUSD Wright Middle School, a S.T.E.A.M. magnet school with a focus on project based learning in science and technology. We're happy to share the fundraising efforts of Mrs. Romero, a science teacher at Wright, who is raising money to provide her students with three Lego Mindstorms EV3 Robotics core kits. 

“With this starter kit we will be able to create three First Lego League (FLL) Robotics teams each school year. We will be able to further our knowledge of basic engineering design and programming, problem solving, and an FLL key term - “coopertition”. Where we learn through friendly competition and cooperation. By continuing to expose my students to various forms of building and programming I am preparing them for a future full of success in various STEAM related fields. My students LOVE robotics and an FLL addition will further their love of the subject and create life long STEAM learners.”

The deadline for funding is February 9, 2018. You can help support Mrs. Romero and her students here.

And check out our last blog on the work we're doing to create a new makers space for the robotics lab at Wright Middle School.

LAUSD Wright Maker Space

LAUSD Wright Middle School is a S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) magnet school where Berliner Architects has taken on the challenge of renovating two of their existing spaces to meet the current and future needs of this interdisciplinary school. These two new classrooms include an expanded Robotics Classroom and a new Flexible Engineering Classroom.

An important part of the visioning process for the new facilities included a half-day design charrette held by Berliner Architects with the teachers and students in the actual space to be renovated. After a group discussion, the students engaged in space planning exercises on architectural plans to better understand their future space and get insight into the field of architecture. During the visioning, students emphasized a desire for multiple-zones within the classroom to be able to have traditional, directed learning alongside teacher-approved downtime. In response, the design team planned for soft, informal seating in addition to adjustable height tables on lockable casters. Listening to the students describe the types of projects they work on, Berliner Architects hoped to highlight that enthusiasm through display of robots-in-progress. Instead of hiding away their designs, the design team chose to create shelving in display cases so that students could see what others are working on, both in active discussion during class time, and passively through the room’s decoration.

Photos and Video by Juhn Kwon Photography

Berliner Architects Staff Promotions

Teamwork is at the heart of how Berliner Architects finds unique solutions, shares ideas, and creates  spaces for our clients that are both functional and inspiring.  We strengthen our firm through new appointments that recognize the good work our team members have done with and for our clients.

We are pleased to announce that Prithwish Gupta and Minah Yeo have been appointed Senior Associates. Appointed to Associate are Ashley Johnson and Kai Telles.  They look forward to working with our clients and partners, continuing to create nurturing environments, improve outcomes and productivity, adapt to new technology and operate in a cost-effective manner.

Berliner Recognized in the LA Business Journal

In their January issue, the Los Angeles Business Journal released "The List" of the top 50 architecture firms operating in the LA area over the past year—a list which we are excited to announce included Berliner Architects for the second year in a row! The list, which ranked firms based on their total LA County project billings in 2017, mentions our work for Pressman Academy and non-profit organization HOLA - Heart of Los Angeles, and brings us up two places from 50 to 48! 

We would like to thank the LA Business Journal and everyone who made the successes of the past year possible!

The New Aerospace TI Ribbon Cutting

We're excited to be a part of the renovation  of the interior spaces of a building for a local aerospace company and were honored to see our spaces on a cake! Our focus was to make for an inviting space that fosters collaboration and innovation in the field. 

HOLA Groundbreaking

We were honored to join community leaders, students, and organizers at the groundbreaking for the Heart of Los Angeles' (HOLA) new facility located in Downtown's Lafayette Park.

HOLA is a non-profit charity providing academic and cultural programs for Los Angeles students aged 6-24. Their volunteer led organization engages students in character and community building after-school programs in music, arts, sciences, and athletics.

The new facility will house the Ensemble Room, a multi-functional event and practice space that will open up to the adjoining park for public performances and other activities. The building is designed using re-purposed shipping containers and is planned to open Fall of 2018.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the team at Berliner Architects! 

Culver City Art Walk 2017

Last Weekend Berliner Architects participated in the Culver City Art Walk, Displaying an exhibit made by the Berliner Team's Personal Work labeled "Berliner Makes!"

Located in the Culver City Arts District, our office is surrounded by a diverse array of artists, designers, and makers. The annual Culver City Art Walk is a chance to take in this incredible Art Scene and for the second year in a row, local artists, gallerias and other businesses across the neighborhood opened their doors and share their work with the community.

Several Berliner employees participated in the Berliner Makes Exhibit, sharing their talents in fiber arts, paper crafts, sculpture and painting. "Berliner Makes" included an Origami exhibit by Minah Yeo titled "We Are Not the Same", Knit characters by Kai Telless, Paintings by Rahel Zewdu, Figure Drawings from Ashley Johnson, Paintings from Ashwini Kokate, Paintings from Prithwish Gupta and Metal Sculptures from Prithwish's Daughter.

Grand Opening - Alliance Morgan McKinzie High School

Our Team was delighted to join faculty, parents, students, and more at the official ribbon cutting ceremony of Alliance Morgan McKinzie High School and Alliance College-ready Middle Academy 8. Designed on a tight urban lot, the focus of these schools was to impact the quality of life through invigorating and revitalizing a vital core in the East LA community as the site was originally home to the First Street Store, a department store that once played an important role on this street but has sat vacant for several years.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of Alliance for College Ready Public Schools and the graduation of Alliance Morgan McKinzie High School's first senior class, with 98% of students moving on to college. Alliance prides itself in the idea that for its students its not if they go to college but when they go to college. Speakers included Alliance President & CEO Dan Katzir and the family of Morgan McKinzie in which the High School was Named. 

Alliance College-Ready Middle School Academy 8 serves 450 students and opened in June 2013, after permitting by the County of Los Angeles. Alliance Morgan McKinzie High School, approved by DSA, serves 600 students and opened in September 2016.

Magnolia Science Academy Wins AIAOC Award

Each year, the Orange County chapter of the American Institute of Architects holds their own Design Awards, recognizing the best that the region's designers have to offer. This year, we are thrilled to announce that Berliner has been awarded for our work on Magnolia Santa Ana! We would like to thank the AIAOC for the honor of being nominated alongside some of the greatest new projects in the county, as well as our project team and Magnolia Public Schools for making this possible. 

The AIA OC Jury admired how Berliner was able to do a lot with a whole set of constraints, including budget and program. The clever use of color to differentiate space was very sucessful and they noted how the double loadede corridor plan was used to an advantage, creating opportunities for relief along the length of the plan. The jury felt the elevating design for these kinds of projects is important to our profession, and to society as a whole. 

Berliner Architects provided master planning and design services for Magnolia Public School’s Pacific Technology School in Santa Ana, California. The two-story, K-12 school now houses 750 students in 34 classrooms. The design incorporates standard classrooms, lab classrooms, administration areas, a multi-purpose room and gymnasium.

With separate entrances for the upper and lower schools, the design allows for the older and younger students to enjoy spaces independent of one another. Interior glass optimizes an open learning environment that builds a sense of community and connection. 

To see the full entry click here

Berliner Team Views the Eclipse

The Berliner Team got together today to view the 2017 North American Eclipse! Using pinhole projectors we built the previous week, our team members joined together to view this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

LACAN Justice and Wellness Center Opens!

We were excited to attend the opening of the Los Angeles Community Action Network's (LACAN) new Justice and Wellness Center in Downtown Los Angeles this past weekend! Since 1999, LACAN has worked tirelessly to fight for civil rights, civic participation, and economic development to protect the disadvantaged in Los Angeles, and particularly on Skid Row. Designed by Berliner Architects, their new Justice and Wellness Center will provide a number of amenities to the homeless in Downtown: meeting and connection spaces, health services, and an urban farming rooftop garden which will create a green oasis in what is otherwise a food desert, allowing locals to grow their own food.

We are honored to have had the opportunity to work on this project, and we wish LACAN and the people of Los Angeles they serve the best of luck with their new facility!

Temple Beth Sholom Wins IIDA Calibre Award!

Berliner is thrilled and honored to have won our very first Calibre Award for our work on the Temple Beth Sholom! Congratulations to all of our fellow team members, and special thanks to the Temple Beth Sholom!

Happy National Teachers' Day 2017!

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Day from the team at Berliner Architects! Today is the day to salute the men and women across the country who dedicate their lives to education. From preschool teachers to college professors, we thank you all for doing the work you do!

Temple Beth Sholom Nominated for IIDA Calibre Award!

Each year, the Southern California chapter of the International Interior Design Association holds the Calibre Awards, recognizing the best that the region's interior designers have to offer. This year, we are thrilled to announce that Berliner has been nominated for our work on Temple Beth Sholom! We would like to thank the IIDA for the honor of being nominated alongside some of the greatest firms in the state, as well as our project team and the people at Temple Beth Sholom for making this possible – and best of luck to all our fellow nominees!

See the full list of nominees here.

HOLA's Tony Brown Receives James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award!

We would like to congratulate Tony Brown and the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) organization for receiving this year's James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award! The $200,000 grant, given to six non-profit organizations benefiting the people of California, will support HOLA's mission of providing art, music, athletic, and college preparatory programs to under-served youth in Los Angeles.

Berliner has had the privilege of working with HOLA for the past few years, helping them build additional facilities using shipping containers. We have also had the opportunity to experience some of the incredible work the organization is doing in Los Angeles, as the HOLA rock band First Aid performed outside of our office during the 2016 Culver City Art Walk.

Learn more about the award and HOLA's mission here!