Largely unimproved since its construction in the 1960’s, this Safeway store in Berkeley’s “Gourmet Ghetto” was showing its age and had suffered minor damage in recent earthquakes. Lowney Architecture was tasked with adding around 50% more store area and completely refreshing the building. In addition to a new “face” adjacent to the main parking lot, the footprint was expanded out to the sidewalk along Shattuck Ave. North facing full height windows fan out along the curve of the street, giving glimpses into the store while allowing for plenty of interior shelf space. The unique vault was preserved and a second clerestory window was added, while a large skylight and stairwell connect down to the below grade parking level of this sloped site.