Project Overview

Berkeley Residence

High-Performance SIP Construction for Seismic Resilience

Located in the Oakland Hills of Berkeley, California, this custom single-family residence was designed and built in a region known for seismic activity, steep terrain, and limited site access. The home was developed as a long-term residence with a strong emphasis on structural resilience, safety, and construction efficiency in a dense urban setting.

The project demonstrates how Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) can support high-performance residential construction in earthquake-prone areas while also solving real-world challenges related to logistics, staging, and schedule control.

Design and Sustainability

The design prioritized durability, occupant safety, and long-term performance in a high-risk seismic zone. Energy efficiency and envelope integrity were also important considerations, supporting both comfort and reduced operational energy use.

Given the hillside location and tight neighborhood constraints, the building envelope needed to be assembled quickly and precisely, with minimal disruption to the surrounding area. SIP construction supported these goals by delivering a strong, airtight, and thermally efficient enclosure with fewer construction steps.

Why SIPs?

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) were a decisive factor in this project. The homeowner had a personal connection to a major earthquake event in Japan and witnessed a SIP-constructed home remain standing while surrounding conventionally built structures failed. Based on this experience, the client specifically requested SIP construction for their Berkeley residence due to its strength and proven performance in seismic conditions.

SIPs also offered a practical solution for building in the Oakland Hills, where limited staging space and street access required careful coordination and efficient construction sequencing.

Benefits of SIPs

SIPs delivered several critical benefits on this project:

• Seismic Resilience:
  The inherent strength and rigidity of SIP construction provided confidence in the building’s ability to perform in an earthquake-prone region.

• Construction Speed:
  SIPs enabled rapid assembly, including the installation of the third-story roof panels in a single day, allowing the structure to be dried in quickly.

• Logistics and Site Efficiency:
  Panels were delivered on a just-in-time basis and sized to match available truck access, eliminating the need for onsite staging in a constrained urban environment.

• Energy Performance:
  The continuous insulation and airtight SIP envelope support improved energy efficiency and interior comfort compared to conventional framing.

Construction and Innovation

The project leveraged SIPs to streamline vertical construction in a dense hillside neighborhood. Precise panel fabrication allowed the structure to be assembled efficiently at height, improving jobsite safety and reducing construction duration.

Windows were able to be installed early in the process, and the rapid enclosure minimized weather exposure—an important advantage for multi-story residential construction on a steep site.

Challenges and Solutions

Building in the Oakland Hills presents challenges, including narrow streets, limited access, and minimal space for material storage. SIP construction addressed these constraints by enabling just-in-time delivery and rapid installation, keeping the jobsite clean, organized, and efficient.

By reducing the number of trades and construction steps required, SIPs helped the project team overcome logistical limitations while delivering a high-quality, resilient home.

Key Features

• Custom single-family residence in Berkeley, California

• Located in a high seismic risk zone

• Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) wall and roof construction

• Just-in-time panel delivery with no onsite staging

• Third-story roof installed in a single day

• High-performance, energy-efficient building envelope