UC Berkeley opens new research facility for computing and data science

UC Berkeley has inaugurated the Barbara and Gerson Bakar Gateway, a 367,000-square-foot facility housing the university’s College of Computing, Data Science, and Society. Designed by architecture firm Weiss/Manfredi in partnership with Gensler, the building prioritizes shared common areas over traditional private offices and lecture halls to encourage collaboration.

College dean Jennifer Chayes stated that the design intent was to remove physical barriers between disciplines. By integrating social kitchens on every floor and utilizing a central atrium as a hub, the facility aims to facilitate interaction among students and faculty in fields including robotics and artificial intelligence. The architects noted that a high percentage of the floor plan is dedicated to unprogrammed public space to ensure the building remains functional as academic programs evolve.

The structure features natural light throughout, with large sightlines designed to improve connectivity between levels. According to project architects Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi, the building serves as a permanent infrastructure capable of adapting to the rapid changes in academic research over the coming decades.