Oakland Ecoblock

EcoBlock is a decarbonization and resilience pilot project that is transforming an existing block of residential and commercial properties with shared energy- and water-efficient technologies. Led by UC Berkeley, the experimental project aims to evaluate the integrated design and development process and illustrate the benefits of urban, block-scale retrofits including solar-powered electrification, and ultimately to accelerate the adoption of similar retrofits across California and beyond. 

Joining a multidisciplinary team of urban designers, engineers, architects, social scientists, municipalities and policy experts, Sherwood is leading EcoBlock’s water team, designing a system that reduces water consumption using water capture, reuse, and ecological integration strategies. 

Stormwater Facility Diagram

These strategies focus on optimizing water efficiency in the EcoBlock streetscape by installing a stormwater management facility to treat, detain and retain the entire block’s stormwater within the existing city right of way. Unnecessary concrete and other impervious surfaces are also being removed throughout the block, and trees have been planted in these new landscape areas to reduce urban heat island effect and improve the community’s pedestrian experience. Laundry-to-landscape greywater reuse systems are also being integrated on individual household lots, recycling water from washing machines to irrigate outdoor plants.  A laundry-to-landscape greywater reuse system was integrated on an individual household lot, recycling water from a washing machine to irrigate outdoor plants.

Volunteers building bioretention area | Image Credit California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE)/UC Berkeley

Sherwood also led the process of identifying and applying for a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant. This covered the costs of constructing the stormwater bioretention facility, which consists of a planting area; a new curb, gutter, and driveway; sidewalk replacement; and a painted curb —work that was completed in 2024. The same EPA grant also funds a monitoring program, which measures the amount of water flowing into the creek and its quality. Sherwood designed the bioretention facility with this program in mind, including ports where sensors can be placed to measure pre- and post-water flow and quality.

Existing and constructed images of the bioretention area for managing stormwater. | | Image Credit California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE)/UC Berkeley

The Oakland EcoBlock pilot includes 14 homeowners representing 25 units (24 residential and 1 commercial) as the beneficiaries of the neighborhood infrastructure improvements, with the option for their neighbors to opt in over time.