Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
San Francisco Chronicle - Friday, September 13, 2002
Heather Knight, Chronicle Staff Writer
You turn to Sam Davis, a Berkeley architect who specializes in designing housing for those who may not otherwise have a roof over their heads. Larkin Street Youth Services first teamed with Davis, who is designing the nonprofit's new drop-in center, seven years ago. Then, the organization sought an architect to design the nation's first housing project for homeless kids infected with HIV.
Davis' resume is impressive: partner with Davis and Joyce Architects in Berkeley, professor of architecture and associate dean at UC Berkeley's College of Environmental Design, winner of a Guggenheim Foundation fellowship for his work on affordable housing, author of an upcoming book on designing spaces for homeless people.
"I was looking for someone who could get the adolescent thing -- who had a lot of creativity and imagination, who could balance the joy and vitality of adolescence with the reality of living with HIV," said Anne Stanton, executive director of Larkin Street.
Davis got the job. In addition to his credentials, he had the right philosophy.
"I want people to come in and say, 'This isn't some old building. This was made for me,' " he said.
In designing 139 Hyde, the home for kids with HIV, Davis began with a seismically unsafe, poorly lit, all-concrete building that used to house a film production company. It didn't exactly scream homey atmosphere.
But now, it contains 12 bedrooms with private bathrooms, large skylights, comfy lounges and an outdoor patio dotted with flowers and lounge furniture that's secluded from the busy Tenderloin streets outside.
Next, he designed The Lark-Inn at 869 Ellis, which houses 40 18-23-year- olds, many of whom are transitioning out of the foster care system with little or no family support to fall back on.
Oh, and it used to be a nightclub.
"It was all painted black and had a mirrored ceiling," Davis said, shaking his head.
Davis' third project was the Hire Up Employment Center, with computers and job resources. Now tackling the drop-in center, he's designed a funky space with rounded walls, nooks for sofas and bright colors.
"It's so important for kids to have something beautiful in their lives, to have an environment that reflects how special they are," Stanton said.
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