Based in Kensington, California, we are committed to providing quality design and building expertise for projects that locally and regionally affects our communities. Our projects range in size from small remodeling, to major additions, and new building. See our gallery for a detailed look at our design and building services.

Design challenges of this project were the height limit set by the Kensington Municipal Advisory Council, and compliance with threshold of gross floor area sets by the Kensington Zoning Ordinance. To keep the roof lines at existing height and achieve maximum height for the interior space we made use of vaulted ceiling system which allowed us to increase ceiling height in the area that was needed most, and lower the ceiling height in the areas called for more intimacy of space. In addition, in the front of the house we introduced a two-story open atrium/stairs which heightened the sense of vertical dimension at the entry.

Unlike the original layout, the new floor plan design was based on a narrative of events which guided the architecture throughout the design development process. This journey started at the entry gate at the front yard, where one steps into a platform facing a beautiful landscape, and gradually moves up to the front entrance of the house via exterior concrete stair. As you go up the stairs, the front porch with the surround bench and covered trellis invites you in.

The main entrance opens into a two-story open atrium/stairs at mid-landing that goes down to family/entertainment room or goes up to the main floor. As one moves up the stairs, the striking living/dining area with window wall facing east reveals its grandness, and gives a glimpse of the magnificent stepped backyard.

The height of the vaulted ceilings defines the hierarchy of the spaces in the house. The living/dining area is the single largest space in the house, with highest ceiling designed for big events; smaller activities in the main floor are defined by their area and ceiling height accordingly. This hierarchy of space defines the activities and generates unity and wholeness.

The living/dining area is connected to the kitchen via a nook with a built-in bench; lowered ceiling at nook works as a transition between the two different ceiling heights in the living/dining and the kitchen. Lowered ceiling in the nook with the attractive light fixture at the center forms an intimate space for casual eating, and implied boundary between the nook and its surrounding. The position of the kitchen in the house and its layout allow for maximum view into the backyard garden and integration of indoor and outdoor activities, between the kitchen and the level patio.

Opposite from the entry to the nook, the living/dining area opens into a hallway that leads to the more private part of the house: bedrooms, baths and laundry. Well-defined public and private zones in the new layout, gives maximum privacy to the bedrooms, while making them easily accessible. All the bedrooms are directly open to the outdoor space by glass doors, while windows provide surround views and ventilation in all directions. Well-designed spacing of the walls, windows and doors provides a functional layout for furniture and maximum use of space. Well-positioned windows in the bathrooms provide direct ventilation, light, and view without compromising the privacy of the interior space.

The link between the living/dining area and the lower level family/entertainment room via the two-story open atrium/stair is open but well defined; activities of the lower floor do not interrupt the events at upper level and vise versa.

Due to the view ordinance in City of Berkeley, we had to keep the house at the existing height while increasing living space with a maximum of 600 sq. ft. of addition, permitted by the City. Our design goal was to keep the original location of main entrance, open the view of both floors to the Bay, enhance the indoor/outdoor relation, improve circulation to accommodate contemporary needs, and connect the lower floor to the upper floor and use it as additional living space.

Once redesigned, the living space increased to approximately 2,800 sq. ft. The front entrance opens at the main level onto a large foyer with a high ceiling, which also provides easy access to the lower floor via a stairway. The main level includes a master bedroom and master bath, a bedroom and bath for a younger child, a spacious living room and a dining room with a view of the Bay, and an open kitchen with large sliding glass doors leading to a beautiful patio for outdoor dining. The lower level includes two additional bedrooms, and a play room for kids which opens to a rear deck/ yard. The new design created an excellent indoor/outdoor living, with a deck at the master bedroom facing the Bay, and a kitchen patio surrounded by a beautiful landscape.

Built in 1930, the original house was a one bedroom, one bath home with poor circulation, sub-standard design, and bare minimum light & ventilation. The goal of design was to enhance flow and circulation in the house, create sufficient living space for a family of four while keeping the size of addition in tune with the volume of neighboring houses. Result was a house with three bedrooms, two full baths, one half bath.

New 2-story addition at the back added a bedroom at ground level and a Master Bedroom Suite Retreat at upper level with full bath. Major remodel of the original structure has transformed very humble beginnings into a stunning beauty. Take note of the elegant and quality high-end finishes and craftsmanship throughout the house. At main level we designed a bright and light living room with vaulted ceilings, dining room adjacent to kitchen, a guest bath and a bedroom. New Kitchen Island opens to dining room with new skylight to provide additional light at dining table.

However, the original layout of house could not make the best use of the magnificent view, and the indoor/outdoor connections were minimal. Despite good potential for light and ventilation, vast areas of the lower floor were used only as storage, workshop, and garage; and the entrance to the house served the upper level, with no direct access to the lower level.

The design challenge was to come up with a scheme which had minimum impact on the structure of the house and to stay within the existing building envelope as much as possible. Our design goal was to: modify the main entrance, open the building to the magnificent view of the Bay, enhance the indoor/outdoor relation, improve circulation to accommodate contemporary needs, and Connect the lower floor to the upper floor and use it as additional living space.

With the new design, the living area of the house has increased from 3,237 sq. ft. to approximately 4700 sq. ft. The front entrance is at the lower level and opens into a dramatic atrium at intermediate landing, down a few stairs into the lower floor and up to the main floor. In addition, our design created an excellent indoor/outdoor living, with decks, patios and an extensive garden. The new lower level includes an attached two-car garage, a workshop, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a large entertainment room with a kitchenette. The main level with a flexible floor plan offers 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, a large living room, family room, dining room and a generously sized kitchen.