Casa Zimbabwe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Casa Zimbabwe |
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| Location | 2422 Ridge Road, Northside, Berkeley, California 94709 |
| Coordinates | 37°52′33.276″N 122°15′39.276″W / 37.87591000°N 122.26091000°W |
| Status | Completed |
| Category | Student housing cooperative |
| Population (2019) | 124 residents + additional boarders (academic year), 105 residents (summer) |
| Units | 73 bedrooms (34 singles, 27 doubles, 12 triples) |
| Constructed | 1965-1966 |
| Governing Body |
Berkeley Student Cooperative |
Casa Zimbabwe, often called CZ, is a special kind of student home in Berkeley, California. About 124 students live there together. It's one of the biggest homes run by the Berkeley Student Cooperative (BSC). The BSC is a group that helps students find affordable places to live.
When it opened in 1966, CZ was groundbreaking! It was one of the first student homes in the country where both guys and girls lived together. It was also the very first building built specifically to be a co-op.
CZ is located at 2422 Ridge Road. It's just a block away from the University of California, Berkeley campus. The building sits on a spot called Holy Hill. This area is known for its many churches and seminaries. From its two accessible roofs, you can see amazing views. You can spot San Francisco, the East Bay, the Berkeley Hills, and much of the university. The main office and kitchen for the BSC are also in this building.
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A Look Back: CZ's History
Most other BSC houses were old buildings that were turned into co-ops. But Casa Zimbabwe was different. It was built in 1966 with a special purpose. It was designed from the start to be a living space for students. It also included the BSC office and a large kitchen.
The people who planned the building wanted it to feel free and individual. They didn't want it to be like a typical college dorm. They wanted to avoid strict rules and a feeling of being impersonal. Instead, they hoped CZ would encourage different activities and a friendly environment.
Planning for this new project started in the late 1950s. The BSC worked hard to raise money. They got about $650,000 from different groups. They also received money from former co-op members and university teachers.
Early Days: Co-ed Living
When the Ridge Project (now CZ) first opened, it was co-ed. But it had separate sections for guys and girls. There was a large common area in the middle. Students living there could decide their own rules. One of the first things they voted on was to mix the floors. This meant guys and girls could live on the same floor. By the mid-1970s, the separate sections for genders were gone.
CZ quickly became known for its lively atmosphere. Many students living there were part of the hippie movement. They were also very active in political events. For example, many participated in the Free Speech Movement that started in Berkeley.
Changing the Name to Casa Zimbabwe
In 1983, some students wanted to change the house's name. They felt "project" sounded negative. Also, people often confused it with the nearby Ridge House. They suggested "Casa Zimbabwe." This name was a nod to the country of Zimbabwe gaining its independence. The name change was voted on several times. It finally passed in 1987.
Art on the Walls
Almost all the public walls in CZ are covered with colorful murals. But when the building first opened, the walls were white. According to stories from students, the first mural was inspired by the Pink Floyd album Dark Side of The Moon. By the 1990s, nearly half the walls had art. Some murals had to be removed in 2007 for safety updates.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, CZ had a self-quarantine. Only about 50 students lived there at that time.
Who Lives at CZ?
The students who live at CZ are called "members" of the cooperative. They pay a fee for their room and meals. This fee was about $7,700 for the 2020 school year.
Just like in other co-op houses, each member helps out. They are required to do a five-hour work shift each week. This could be cooking, cleaning, or helping with repairs.
Members of CZ often call themselves "Czars." They hold meetings every week to talk about house business. Decisions are made by voting.
How CZ Was Built
Casa Zimbabwe is special because it was built to be a cooperative home. Other BSC houses were once apartments or hotels. CZ's east wing is four stories tall, and its west wing is three stories. The two parts are slightly offset. This was done to make the building look less like a formal college dorm.
The BSC administrative office is in a separate part of the building. It's connected to the older Ridge House. The east and west wings are where students live. These two wings are connected by large common areas. Many rooms offer amazing views of San Francisco, the East Bay, Berkeley Hills, and the university.
There's a courtyard between the Ridge House, the office, and the two wings. Both roofs of the wings are also common areas for students. In 1979, 40 solar panels were added to the roofs. These panels help heat the water for the building.
In spring 2007, CZ was temporarily closed for safety updates. An elevator was also installed. This made the building easier for people in wheelchairs to access.
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Common space 2011
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Sectional diagram
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Schematic roof plan
