At the west edge of Berkeley’s campus stands the latest addition to its expansive network of student housing: Anchor House, the first of its kind as an all-transfer housing option. This hard-to-miss highrise aims to “reimagine the student residential experience for transfer students, many of whom come from underrepresented backgrounds and are often first-generation college students.” Transfer students at Berkeley often face an uphill battle; acclimating into one of the country’s top institutions halfway through their college career is no small feat. With that in mind, Anchor House was built not just as a housing facility but as a sanctuary: “an anchor for community and belonging.” 

Anchor House cut the ribbon just as students arrived this past August with goals to, “integrate wellness, community-building, and environmental consciousness.” The unit features an endless list of well-advertised amenities, including an 8,600-square-foot fitness center, community rooms with kitchens, terrace patios, lounges, and living green walls that scale the sides of the building.

In a time when environmental action is essential, Anchor House’s commitment to sustainability has been at the forefront of its mission, embodying Berkeley’s forward-thinking approach to campus development.

Though still in its infancy, the space is firmly planting itself in the Berkeley community, while still leaving room for growth. In an interview with Habibi, she noted that because the garden is so new, there is a lot of learning, navigating, and adaptation happening. Despite the many gardening successes, Habibi doesn’t ignore the intricacies that come with working under a large institution. “This space is really great for including all things sustainability. On a small scale, like when we're buying seeds, we try to source seeds from small farmers, BIPOC, queer-owned, just like down to the seed. It's interesting to try to undo what is normally done elsewhere.” She mentions that sometimes, she’s sending dozens of emails just to get plants into the ground.

This means that every move made has to be deliberate. Intentionality defines the garden at Anchor House; every choice holds weight. From the seeds to the soil, each decision in this garden reflects the intentions of the space. “We got these seeds from Seed Savers Collective, and they really encourage small landholders and small farmers gardeners to not only plant seed, but to save it, which is super awesome,” Habibi notes, a small glimmer of excitement in her eyes. 

Frankly, it is exhilarating. In this garden, it is possible to have control over where everything comes from – choosing to source locally and prioritizing crops that align with Berkeley’s climate. This level of care not only lessens environmental strain but also fosters a deeper understanding of sustainability in the community. 

Currently, a variety of beans, including the Painted Lady Runner bean, fill the rooftop’s plant beds. Beans are not only fast-growing but they also deposit a large amount of nitrogen into the soil, improving the soil health. AH Garden Coordinator Juliet Swimmer has a particular love for the beans because they were the first crops planted intentionally for the health of the soil – a symbolic start to a space rooted in ecological care. 

Beyond beans, the beds are filled with a vibrant array of vegetation. Planted marigolds serve a dual purpose, their blooms help manage pests while also adding a colorful touch. Basil and rosemary complement the more seasonal crops, but also support the idea that students can come to the rooftop and pick basil to top their homemade concoctions. Hopefully, this eliminates the need for students to bus to Trader Joe’s or Berkeley Bowl to fuel them for their week twelve midterms.

The rooftop garden is also a cultural crop amalgamation reflecting Berkeley’s diverse community. Perilla the aromatic herb is a feature in the garden. Its leaves are a staple in traditional Korean cooking, used as wraps, and incorporated in many savory side dishes. A broad range of herbs are also planted to be accessible to a wide range of students. So far in the gardening process, the harvest has been going to the Berkeley Basic Needs Center, with around 20 lbs of produce already donated. Looking ahead there will be a focus on the food that is grown going back to the tenants of Anchor House. This shift towards a closed-loop system reinforces a commitment to cyclical sustainability, encourages a connection between the residents and the food they consume, and underscores the importance of food sovereignty. Anchor House invites individuals to grow, access, and eat food in equitable and sustainable ways. “Berkeley, at least in my experience with all the agricultural classes I've taken here and who they decide to uplift in these conferences, it's been a lot of people who are really standing true in their definition of sustainability,” Habibi says as she metaphorically pats Berkeley’s sustainability spirit on the back. Berkeley’s reputation as a hub of sustainability precedes it. With a community of students already dialed in on sustainability efforts, Anchor House’s rooftop garden is only an extension of this core.

A group of undergraduate interns have been integral in kickstarting the launch of this garden, a team that continues to be foundational to its ongoing needs. With such a new space, it’s rewarding that interns get the chance to actively shape development as contributing voices. Especially for those undergraduates seeking jobs in the same field, this is a sacred opportunity to see their ideas take root and to experiment with cultural or ecologically resonant crops. 

As Anchor House continues to advance, its rooftop garden embodies the spirit of Berkeley: innovative, inclusive, and forward-thinking. This space isn’t about mass-producing crops –– it's about cultivating connections and reinforcing sustainability in an urban environment. Here, amidst the commotion of academia, this rooftop garden stands as a reminder: growth, whether in plants or people, is intentional.