The Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) replaces an existing laboratory building with a new facility for research on solar energy technology. RHAA designed the landscape surrounding the new building, including a roof top plaza/garden, parking lot improvements, and ADA access from nearby parking and bus stops. The landscape plan was designed to engage with the natural surroundings of the Berkeley hills with low maintenance, appropriate planting, and to provide the users with useful and beautiful outdoor spaces for gathering and collaboration. The project also required close coordination with the adjacent and concurrent GPL building project which essentially shares the same plaza space in order to create a seamless transition between the two new buildings and landscapes.

The SERC facility houses the Helios Solar Energy Research Center program which is devoted to creating integrated nanoscale photovoltaic and electrochemical solar energy systems that produce transportation fuels from chemical processes using water and carbon dioxide, driven by the energy of sunlight.

• The Solar Energy Research Center (SERC) is a new 21,470 sf building located in the central area of the LBNL campus
• This project is certified LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council
• Photography by Bruce Damonte