ELS designed a new gender-inclusive universal locker room for UC Berkeley’s Recreational Sports Facility – the first gender-inclusive locker room of its size and scope in the UC system, the largest universal collegiate locker room in California, and one of only a few in the nation. It provides a welcoming facility for members needing more privacy, those who prefer an all-gender option, or who need disability accommodations.

Bright and spacious, the new 4,500-square-foot facility provides a welcoming locker room for all members. It features a central open space with 400 storage lockers and 16 private changing rooms, seven private showers, and five private toilet rooms. A high ceiling makes the locker room, located on the bottom floor of RSF, feel more spacious. Green features include energy efficient LED lighting, low-VOC materials, and benches made from repurposed wood.

Direct access and open sightlines into the locker room from the new lobby check-in desk allow the user to quickly understand the overall layout. The design exceeds ADA requirements and offers a comfortable private space for recreational activities, reducing barriers and encouraging all students, staff, and community members to participate in Rec-Sports wellness and aquatics programs.

Awards

National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Silver Award for Excellence