UC Berkeley’s Premier Innovation Lab Shines
Thank you to Gino Segre for a follow up visit to the Bakar Bioenginuity Hub at the University of California Berkeley. We are forever intrigued by the success of the best and brightest as it helps us serve our clientele looking to construct and operate collaborative laboratories. Three years later, under Gino’s leadership, Bakar is a unique success.
If you’ve seen one incubator, you’ve see one incubator
Bakar is no exception. In fact, by the very nature of the unique building that houses Bakar, it intentionally presents a one-of-a-kind configuration, and that lends a unique nature to the lab. It is unique in the structure, the former University Art Museum. The building was carefully repurposed by MBH Architects, with the cascading exhibition rooms converted to wet labs and support spaces. The cascade of rooms, in the shape of a nautilus, centers over open office and dry space. Between the few steps between lab modules and the skylit open space, collaboration is natural.
Location plays an important role as well – Bakar is across the street from the UC Berkeley campus. Close, but comfortably separate. The unique structure, combined with the location give Bakar a platform to support the dynamic UC Berkeley research community.
Curated Private Partners and Programs
Gino reports that the private companies housed in Bakar have had considerable success. Part of the success is the care taken in accepting proposal, from vetting to approval, so that the thirty or so current partner firms have the right ingredients of science and planning. Bakar has already matriculated many firms out to the community. Adding to the richness of the space and the community, Gino reports 80 or so program events for participants in the Bakar Bioenginuity Hub. The variety of events tailored to the users further strengthens the community and success of the lab.
Returning to Bakar
A bit of history for both Susan and Joel. The original building – the University Art Museum – was successful repurposed for Bakar. We knew it from the previous use and the iconic brutalist exterior. The interior spaces – the cascading museum rooms around the central space was unique and filled the art with light. With the splendid renovation, correcting seismic issues, coupled with an effective management, the building has found a new – and equally vibrant – life as the home for Bakar Bioengenuity Hub.
Links to organizations in this post:
UC Berkeley Bakar Bioenginuity Hub: https://capitalstrategies.berkeley.edu/bakar-bioenginuity-hu
MBH Architects: https://www.mbharch.com/laboratory
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