Cooperatively Yours

BAHA Honors Co-op Alumni

By Meera Vaidyanathan
Alumni Coordinator

The Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association recently honored co-op alumni David Trachtenberg (Barrington, Kingman, 1978-80) and Martin Kaufman (Barrington, Rochdale, Fenwick, 1981-85) for their innovative renovation of the Rose Street Grocery in Berkeley.

The grocery, built by German immigrant George Hunrick in 1908, abandoned in 1966 and designated a City Structure of Merit in 1988, has been reborn. David (Trachtenberg Architects) and Marty (Kaufman Construction) first met on the Rose Street Project. Neither was aware that they were fellow co-op alumni until a mutual friend, Betsy Putnam, casually mentioned it.

David and Marty reconstructed the building façade and built two attractive townhouses in the rear. Now fronting a studio and garage, the façade bears a plaque commemorating the original building. Since finishing the Rose Street residences, Marty and David have already begun collaboration on another remodelling project.

A great believer in cooperative ideals, David says the co-ops have influenced his architectural philosophy. “People are looking for simple, solid, livable space that doesn’t require a lot of resources; where they can walk places; where they can live without a car.”

David still runs into co-opers Eric Rice and Henry Ramos. He considers the Co-op “a kind of miracle. It embodies everything good about Berkeley: the collective ownership, the democratic decision-making, and doing things for oneself.”

Trachtenberg’s projects include Berkeley Bowl, the new ACLU headquarters and Cody’s in San Francisco. When looking at the Rose Street Grocery, David rejected the concept of building the largest possible structure as cheaply as possible to maximize profit. Instead, he created a space with an organic feel; the units share an interior courtyard and gardens designed by his brother Robert Trachtenberg of Garden Architecture.

Marty is in touch with many co-op friends, including Catherine Bottom Bathrick, Jim Cole, Claudine Dutaret, Dann Bearson, James Larsen, Janet Levenson, Karyn Ott, Shelly Rivara, Brian Wilson, Monica Zukrow and Brett Gottleib. Kaufman Construction has remodeled USCA kitchens and bathrooms over the last six summers.

Marty has vivid memories from his Barrington days, especially of the “Wine Dinners.” His first Wine Dinner had a savage theme, complete with a roasted pig. “Co-opers didn’t bother with plates, and in 20 minutes the pig was bones. One woman who I am still in touch with - I won’t mention her name - dressed as a tiger. Maybe ‘dressed’ isn’t the right word - all she had on was paint!"