International House Access Improvements
The International House at UC Berkeley is a multicultural residential living and learning center of nearly 600 students and scholars from more than 70 countries, including the United States. Their mission is to foster intercultural respect and understanding, lifelong friendships, and leadership skills for a more just and peaceful world. Founded in 1930 with a charitable gift from John D. Rockefeller Jr., the International House is a non-profit organization.
This project made improvements to the front entry and the public right-of-way in front of the International House on Piedmont Avenue to address public safety, ADA compliance, and other code compliance and maintenance issues. In particular, a ramp was constructed in the mid-1990s in front of the International House to navigate the elevated front area, from the public right-of-way sidewalk to the building's main entry doors. The ramp design was no longer compliant with ADA standards and required replacement.
A new ADA-compliant entry and sidewalk were constructed that more gracefully integrates the building entry with the streetscape. The project will also improved pedestrian safety by creating code-compliant ramps and stairways, and undergrounded utilities in front of the building.
Construction on the front entry of the International House began in early July 2022. Work on the public right-of-way began later that month. The project was completed in Summer 2023.