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 the deck on the view side, became 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.