Walker Parking Consultants, parking structure design and consulting, together with Overaa Construction, recently completed the Underhill Parking Facility and Playing Field at the University of California, Berkeley. Walker Parking served as prime designer and project engineer, while Overaa constructed the garage and provided and installed the artificial turf for the field.

"The project team has put the finishing touches on a comprehensive facilities project for the University," said Dave Koski, vice president for Walker Parking Consultants. "This remarkable structure resulted from a genuine team effort among all parties involved in the planning, design and construction process."

Located two blocks south of the main campus, Underhill is a 1,000-space, four-level parking facility with two floors below the ground. A spacious 77,400-square-foot multisport artificial turf field and running track serves as the facility's rooftop.

"We appreciated the opportunity to participate in this project and to develop UC Berkeley replacement parking in this part of the campus, along with a recreational field that features an innovative design," said Jerry Overaa, chief executive officer for Overaa Construction. "This facility underscores the definition of 'mixed use' for the UC Berkeley community."

During construction, UC Berkeley engineering students visited the site several times on field trips for classes focused on concrete and construction management. The entire project team supported this effort to contribute to the academic mission of the campus and provide students with a 'real world' case study. Students living in the nearby residence halls will now have new space available for intramural team sports and exercise.

Founded in 1868, the University of California, Berkeley is a public research university and the oldest of the 10 campuses that make up the University of California.