This project reconfigured and added to an existing home in the Berkeley
Hills, capitalizing on the fantastic view. The clients had suffered for
years with the principal entry through the kitchen and with a spiral
stair as the only interior access to their downstairs laundry and
exercise room. The solution was to open up and enlarge the main living
space to create a single room for the dining, living, kitchen, entry and
stair. What was once the deck on the view side, has now become the
living room. With the living room shifted over, the dining room and
kitchen were expanded and a large island was created to separate the
functions. Off this central space smaller spaces were added that provide
intimacy: a library, a small deck and a rear patio were re-discovered.
Oak floors and cabinets provide warmth, in contrast with the light
palette of the walls and ceiling. Dark patina on steel details provides
definition to the room.