The Hope Center and Berkeley Way

The Hope Center and Berkeley Way is a partnership between Berkeley Food & Housing Project and BRIDGE Housing, bringing a continuum of affordable and very low-income housing integrated into a vibrant downtown community rich in transit and services.

The Hope Center serves Berkeley’s very low-income, disabled, and chronically homeless population through innovative housing and on-site support services. It consists of 32 shelter beds for homeless adult men, 53 units of permanent supportive housing for homeless and disabled men and women, 12 transitional housing beds for homeless male veterans (in partnership with the VA), Offices for support staff with wrap-around services, and a commercial kitchen and dining facility for residents and their long-running daily Community Meal which began in 1970.

BRIDGE Housing’s Berkeley Way Apartments boasts 89 affordable for low and very low-income families and wrap-around services for mental health, substance abuse, job training, and social activities. The building has on-site renewable energy and is Multifamily GreenPoint rated Platinum. Additionally, the property is one of 4 pilot projects in the Bay Area Low-Carbon Concrete Codes Project by BAAQMD.

Argus worked with BRIDGE Housing and Berkeley Food and Housing Project to develop cohesive branding to unite the two distinct developments, reflect the characteristics of the building’s architecture and purpose, and amplify the spirit of Berkeley. Bringing the outdoors in through color and texture inspired our work.

Canopy signage features a custom-designed font with an Arts and Crafts flair, also used on interior signage and wayfinding. Wood details on the door and wayfinding signs emulate the architectural wood details, which subtly change across the building’s to emphasize the warm and inviting environment.

We designed tasteful, dimensional wall commemorations to honor people critical to Berkeley Food & Housing Project’s impact. These features were developed as informative interpretive displays seamlessly integrated with the surrounding architecture.

The Argus team commissioned a local artist to paint a large dimensional mural installed in the dramatic entry staircase of The Hope Center. The mural elevates the unifying concept of bringing the outside into the building. In addition, we commissioned over 25 pieces of artwork hung throughout the two buildings in key communal areas. Argus chose work from various local artists to represent the diversity of Berkeley and the surrounding area.