Hearst Greek Theater

Designed by San Francisco Architect John Galen Howard, The Hearst Greek Theatre is one of the most iconic buildings on the U.C. Berkeley campus. With its open-air amphitheater and sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, it is beloved by generations of concert goers, students, and alumni. Built in 1903 in the Greek Revival style, this commanding and elegant California Historic Landmark was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Straddling a major earthquake fault, the Greek was in sore need of seismic and accessibility upgrades, as well as repairs to its key historic features. The University engaged CAW Architects to direct the seismic rehabilitation, upgrades, additions to, and repair of this important historic resource.

Phase One of this project involved the organization of a consulting team to document the existing building conditions and site deficiencies that needed to be addressed. CAW had to create and meet an aggressive construction schedule that was driven by Cal Performances’s and Another Planet Entertainment’s concert schedule, the University’s commencement ceremonies, and annual Big Game Bonfire.  A robust seismic strengthening scheme was inserted into existing hollows within the building, and programmatic upgrades including accessible all gender restrooms were incorporated as part of code mandated accessibility improvements.  The project entailed connecting to, and in some cases, upgrading the buildings aging MEPS infrastructure.

The Phase Two project added much-needed restrooms, concession facilities, and a large plaza to the historic Hearst Greek Theatre.  The new building adheres to the principles established in the 2011 Greek Theatre Master Plan, and steps up the hill with the steep topography to minimize building mass and echo patterns of development established in both the original John Galen Howard amphitheater and the 50’s Borne Addition (both of which are part of the historic designation of the complex).  The project provides 44 new toilets and urinals and is split between men’s, women’s, and gender-neutral facilities to best serve the needs of a large concert audience, some of whom drink a lot of beer!  The board formed shotcrete exterior holds its own against both the powerful architecture of the Born addition and the onslaught of heavy use by boozed up concert goers.