Bay Area Rapid Transit’s Headquarters

Race against time transforming BART's headquarters through innovative design-build

Oakland, California, United States

Client: Bay Area Rapid Transit

Sector: Commerce, Workplace, Design, Environmental, Agriculture, Engineering, Technology, Community, Architecture

RIM Architects, now part of GHD, led the architectural transformation of Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) in Oakland, California.

At a glance

RIM Architects, now part of GHD, led the architectural transformation of Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) 250,000-square-foot headquarters in Oakland, California with this progressive design-build project converting traditional office space into a modern, open-concept environment through an innovative progressive design-build approach that earned multiple industry awards while meeting aggressive schedule and budget requirements.

The challenge

BART faced a critical deadline to relocate their headquarters from San Francisco to Oakland before their existing lease expired. The project demanded complete reimagining of a 10-floor building within an extremely compressed eight-week programming phase. The team needed to balance open collaboration spaces with private offices while adhering to a pre-established budget.

The traditional office layout presented significant challenges for modern workflow needs. The space required extensive reconfigurations to accommodate BART's diverse departmental requirements while promoting cross-functional collaboration. The project team needed to navigate the complexities of a progressive design-build delivery method while maintaining clear communication channels with all stakeholders.

Additionally, the project required coordinating with multiple stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted transit authority operations during the transition. This included securing permits quickly from local authorities and working within strict budget parameters. Meeting these multifaceted challenges required innovative solutions and meticulous planning that would enable BART to continue serving its critical public transportation mission throughout the relocation.

Our response

Our team implemented an innovative "week 0" approach to gather initial information and prepare for immediate deployment. We developed a strategic three-package permit submission process, securing approvals within just three weeks through extensive advance coordination with authorities.

Working together with Turner Construction, we introduced a modern, open-office design concept while maintaining strategic private spaces for essential functions. Our team worked concurrently with estimators to validate cost models throughout the process, identifying opportunities for design enhancements through carefully planned add alternates.

The design solution incorporated flexible workspace strategies including adaptable meeting areas, collaborative zones and quiet focus spaces. We utilized advanced building information modeling to coordinate complex systems integration and ensure optimal space utilization. Through proactive stakeholder engagement and transparent communication channels, we enabled quick decision-making and efficient problem-solving.

The impact

The project delivered a transformative workplace that enhances BART's operational efficiency and employee collaboration capabilities. The successful relocation completed on schedule and within budget, earning prestigious industry recognition including Engineer News-Record's Best Interior/Tenant Improvement award and the International Partnering Institute's Diamond Award.

The new headquarters represents a significant investment in Oakland's downtown, reinforcing BART's commitment to the community it serves. The open-concept design and strategic space planning promote enhanced teamwork and communication while accommodating BART's diverse operational needs. This modernized facility better supports BART's mission to provide safe reliable public transportation to the Bay Area.

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