Zaytuna College
We are proud partners of Zaytuna College as they undertake a significant transformation to their campus’ structures and landscapes. Over the past few years, we have completed projects ranging from garden designs to lecture hall interiors to dormitories!
Zaytuna College Upper Campus is located at the highest elevation in Berkeley. The dreamy and secluded grounds boast the best views in town- a constant source of design inspiration. The site is open to the public, so do check it out on a sunny day if you are in the area!
Overview
Sophia Hall Garden
Immersed in the outdoor experience.
The third garden in a series of outdoor spaces we are designing for Zaytuna College plucks you out of Berkeley and transports you to a far away land...
Alalusi dormitories
Our solution to a common dorm dilemma: How to provide a sense of privacy and flexibility while facilitating connection and equitable space/ light distribution.
The perforated, adjustable screen creates privacy at eye level and below while allowing natural light from the singular window to seep in from above.
Founder's hall garden
Lecture hall
FUNCTIONALITY It’s a keyword in our practice.
The “and” spaces—spaces that can be used for multiple functions—are achieved by developing contexts that serve different purposes across the span of a day. They are utilized by a variety of users within the college community. Multi-use spaces are intentionally designed and constructed with versatility in mind, serving more students and faculty on a consistent basis than traditional classrooms.
The classrooms of yesteryear tend to sit empty for large portions of the day; while multi-use spaces tend to be utilized more regularly as their layout and functionality contribute to collaborative, living-and-learning communities.
Here, we are illustrating three main functions for a multi-use space.
In the ongoing design process for the multi-use hall at Zaytuna college, we are incorporating Kufic calligraphy of the Quran verses to create the backlit coffered ceiling. Kufic is an early angular form of the Arabic alphabet found chiefly in decorative inscriptions. We are intrigued by spaces that have a story to tell. This room has a few good ones
Rumi Productions