Our Facility

Innovation in Energy & Materials

Launching in 2028. A dynamic innovation center with labs, offices, and collaboration spaces designed to power up to 75 tenants under one roof.

Innovation Launchpad

A new incubator on the west side of campus will provide resources and support to entrepreneurs developing advanced energy and materials technologies.

Our facility, expected to open during the 2027-2028 academic year, will provide campus innovators with the resources they need to launch successful companies in the energy and materials space. At the site currently occupied by University Hall, the donor-funded building will include laboratory and flexible scale-up space tailored to support a diverse array of research, from renewable energy and carbon capture to greener building materials and agricultural practices.

The new facility is part of a larger plan to redevelop the west side of campus into a center for life sciences, energy, and materials science research at Berkeley. The project, called the Berkeley Innovation Zone, will include two buildings — our facility and an additional research building — along with open space and parking.

Architect's rendering of exterior view at Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. As seen from Oxford St to the east at dusk

Architect's rendering of exterior at Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. As seen from Oxford St to the east

Architect's rendering of interior space at Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. Sparsely occupied cafeteria space

Architect's rendering of interior space at Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. A few people in auditorium while someone makes a presentation

Architect's rendering of interior space at Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. Two people working at desk while two others look at art on walls

Architect's rendering of exterior space at Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. Three people at table on balcony

Architect's rendering of interior space at Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. Two people having conversation at table

Architect's rendering of interior space at Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. Stairwell lit from outside by windows

Architect's rendering of interior space at Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. Two people having conversation in kitchen area

Architect's rendering of interior space at Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. Scientist in lab coat working at bench

Architect's rendering of interior space at Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. A few people sitting at desks working at computers

Architect rendering of the future BCH building

At UC Berkeley, more than 300 faculty in engineering, computer science, the physical and life sciences, chemistry, environmental design, law, policy, business and other fields are deeply engaged in energy and materials research, and incubation space devoted to this area is critically needed.

Design

Designed by Gensler, the new five-story, 145,000-square-foot facility will contain laboratory space, as well as conference rooms, office space and other interaction spaces, and will allow for up to 75 tenant companies, once fully occupied. A number of sustainability strategies are being explored for the building’s design, including low carbon construction, passive solar shading and rooftop solar paneling.

Pilot Program

Before the new building opens, we’re building momentum by launching a pilot incubator program with operations at Bakar Bio Labs and the QB3 Garage in Stanley Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. The pilot will build a pipeline of talent through mentorship and student internships, and early engagement of investor networks and industry affiliates to accelerate a number of early-stage companies that will move into the new building once it’s complete. Learn more about the Pilot Program

Innovation Network

Founders in our program will also have access to UC Berkeley’s bustling community of entrepreneurs, including the Cleantech to Market Program, Berkeley SkyDeck, the CITRIS Foundry, Berkeley Law and the Haas School of Business. To help propel young companies forward, we have also partnered with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, home to critical scientific facilities that include the Molecular Foundry, the Advanced Light Source, the National Energy Research Scientific Computer Center, and programs aimed at translating innovations from the lab to the market, including the Lab’s Cyclotron Road program and its partner, Activate, a nonprofit organization and fellowship program that grew out of Cyclotron Road.

Project Timeline

Development of the project is scheduled to begin this summer with University Hall’s demolition, which is expected to continue through early 2025. Construction will begin once the site is cleared and will take approximately three years. Plans for the other elements of the Berkeley Innovation Zone are in development.

Real-Time Progress

Demolition of University Hall, April 28, 2025