Arch Street

ArcHouse is a newish community that came together in the summer of 2021. We are creating a home that has a close-knit, dynamic, and friendly vibe. We are grad students, foodies, teachers, engineers, journalists, runners, climbers, travelers, and more! Our house is currently pet-free, and we’re not accepting new pets. We are currently 7: 4 women, 2 men, and 1 nonbinary person; 4 POC and 3 white people; 5 people born abroad, and all in our mid-late 20s.

VALUES Our intentions for the new community include: A clean and organized house that is pleasant to spend time in Great food, collaborative living and cooking Appreciation and curiosity for diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives A welcoming environment for people of different backgrounds and life stages, with zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment based on gender, race, sexual orientation, or other behavior that disrupts safety and trust in our community To live in a sustainable way, reduce our waste, shop organic and local when possible

FOOD We have a shared grocery plan to keep our kitchen full of delicious, healthy foods. We each pay $150/month for food. We have a fridge in the kitchen for communal food and a fridge in the basement for personal items. The pantry is communal and everyone has a personal food bin.

Foods we currently buy communally: veggies, fruit, rice, beans, nuts, eggs, tofu, bread, pasta, milks, oils and spices. We mostly buy organic, but we aren’t strict about it except for animal products. Foods purchased individually (and often shared informally) include meat, cheese, alcohol, desserts.

MEALS Our house has a culture of food generosity. It’s common to get a group text saying “dinner is on the table” or “leftover XYZ in the fridge!” Most weeknights people informally gather to eat and chat. Cooking your own meat and dairy is fine, but communal meals are normally vegan to make sure everyone can enjoy!

EVENTS We have house get-togethers and porch hangouts, and in the past have hosted art nights and coordinated hikes and even camping trips! We are not a party house, but are excited to host gatherings, potlucks, and low-key celebrations.

HOUSE RULES Some of the commitments we’ve made as a house include: Quiet hours from 10pm to 8am weeknights & midnight to 8am on Fri/Sat. Exceptions can be requested for special occasions. No dishes left in the sink Attending house meetings once a month Completing the chores you sign up for

E: French, 29 years old, she/her. I am a postdoc at the University. I study evolution and the different processes that shape the DNA of nowadays populations. I am a really social person, I like to interact a lot and try to laugh as much as I can. I like to learn from people around me, more generally to discover new things. I also like good food as well as junk food, to see nature from time to time (hiking, camping…), going out for drinks/dinner/dancing… I’m more recently a climber (there is a climbing gym down the street!) and a member of the house run club. Always happy to join :) PS: I have the highest hair/body ratio of the house

R: 27 y.o. hydrologist from Encinitas, CA, recently earned a Master’s in Hydrology & Water Security, passionate about human rights and equitable clean water access. I love a good book club, Southwest or Mediterranean recipe, soccer (fútbol!) with friends in the park or watching La Liga. I enjoy exploring new music, camping, family time, and connecting with people.

J- 28, American, white, male. WHATTUP! I’m a high school teacher on an extended sabbatical (unemployed) while I transition from teaching math to teaching English. I run and read every day, and around the house I enjoy taking out the trash and putting dishes away. I have the longest hair in the house which has caused a lot of jealousy from other housemates. Favorite House Activity- Run Club!! Favorite House Memory- Bottomless Mimosas

M: 26, Cuban American. I’m a graduate student at Cal, studying evolutionary biology– specifically, models of molecular evolution and viruses. In my free time, I like running slowly over long distances, learning new salsa moves, working on my crochet projects or other crafty things, or practicing my other two languages– German & Spanish. I am always down for a hike or camping trip, but definitely rely on R or other friends who are awesome trip leaders/planners. Favorite house activity: Run club! Favorite House Memory: Laugh session

Z: 25, Asian. She/her. I am a local journalist in San Francisco reporting on the AAPI community. I like watching k-dramas, thrifting and exploring fun local events in the East Bay and the city. My favorite house event is definitely the laugh session hahahaha….

A: 26, Indian. She/her. Graduate student at UC Berkeley, studying housing policy, global inequalities, and urbanization in the global South. I like to read (recent reads: Sea of Poppies), listen to podcasts (Articles of Interest is an all-time favorite), and cook. Favorite house activity: movie nights.