Ecocity Builders - Consulting Projects

Ecocities
An ecocity is a human settlement that enables its residents to live a good quality of life while using minimal natural resources.

Buildings
Its buildings make best use of sun, wind and rainfall to help supply the energy and water needs of occupants. Generally multistory to maximize the land available for greenspace.

Biodiversity
It is threaded with natural habitat corridors, to foster biodiversity and to give residents access to nature for recreation.

Transport
Its food and other goods are sourced from within its borders or from nearby, in order to cut down on transport costs.

The majority of its residents live within walking or cycling distance of their workplace, to minimise the need for motorised transport.

Frequent public transport connects local centres for people who need to travel further.

Local car sharing allows people to use a car only when needed.

Industry
The goods it produces are designed for reuse, remanufacture, and recycling.

The industrial processes its uses involve reuse of by-products, and minimise the movement of goods.

Economy
It has a labour intensive rather than a material, energy, and water intensive economy, to maintain full employment and minimise material throughput.

—Ecocity definition written by our sister organization, Urban Ecology Australia

Ecocity Builders

339 15th Street, Suite 208
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone/Fax 510-444-4508

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Consulting Projects

Deja Vu Publishing Company Building Study

Initial feasibility study for a proposed building redesign in downtown Berkeley for Deja Vu Publishing Company's Board of Directors.

Among other tasks, Ecocity Builders created a series of conceptual illustrative drawings sufficient to communicate basic ecological organization and uses of architecture and design and in sufficient detail to indicate interrelation of parts and functions for the particular project. Ecocity Builders recommended particular design features and strategies for including ecologically relevant features in the project.

“The Board’s goal is to have a profitable multi-use building based on sustainable principles that showcases spiritual beliefs. We would like to have this building make a statement about working and living well in the 21st century.”

—Deja Vu Board of Directors' building statement

Mills College Long Range Green Plan in Concert with General Plan Recommendations

Planning for restoration and long term health of Lake Alisio and Lion Creek on campus, coordinated with new pedestrian centers-oriented future development

Beginning consultations completed and plan in early stage of being outlined with head of campus facilities – will likely reshape campus over generations

Funded by consultation fees paid by Mills College

Gaia Building and Cultural Center

The Gaia Building and Cultural Center is a mixed-use project in downtown Berkeley, located directly across from the University of California and the Bay Area's public mass transit system (BART). Complete in 2001, the Gaia building has 91 housing units and two floors of office and theater space.

Ecocity Builders worked directly with the architect, developing a series of drawings and concept illustrations for the project.

The project is featured as one component of Ecocity Builders' "Heart of the City Project" and incorporates terraced roof decks, roof-top gardens, and electric car-sharing.

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