The Touriel Building is part of Panoramic Management's suite of large new and shiny apartment buildings in Berkeley. Unfortunately, the building's wooden paneling details on the facade did not stay new and shiny looking for very long. After only 6 years (finished in 2004) the building facade looks much older than it really is. The uneven and premature degradation of the wood distracts me every time I pass this building, which is often because it is on my way to school and work.
2004 2010
As we learned in class, wood can last a very long time if it is protected. The front facade features windows that have wood paneling around them and are slanted (for views?). Half of the wood paneling on the north side of the building (facing University Avenue) is not protected by the inadequate overhangs at the top of the building. This is especially apparent in the endgrain, which is particularly unsheltered.
On the West side of the building (facing Milvia Street) the wood is not protected at all, and the finish has worn away incrementally more with each successive floor.
In short, this could be a very nicely detailed building if more attention was paid to the small yet significant detailing of larger overhangs and more protection of wood and its end grain from the elements.
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