Midcentury Addition, ADU + Remodel

El Cerrito, CA

Midcentury home addition and attached ADU in El Cerrito, featuring a second-story deck, trellis, and landscaped yard.
Living room interior with exposed wood ceiling beams, large windows, and sliding glass doors that open to the deck, creating a bright and comfortable gathering space connected to the outdoors.
Living room view highlighting the relocated front entry with a bold orange door, custom media wall, and midcentury-inspired finishes that improve flow and natural light throughout the home.
Exterior view of the midcentury home addition in El Cerrito, showing the ground-level ADU and second-story bedroom addition with blue siding, large windows, and a wood deck connected to the backyard.
Kitchen island view showing custom walnut cabinets, integrated appliances, pendant lighting, and a generous workspace designed to maximize storage and functionality for a growing family.
Open kitchen and dining area with walnut cabinetry, a large island with seating, skylights, and clerestory windows that bring daylight deep into the expanded main level.
Kitchen and hallway view showing clerestory windows above the rear hall and folding glass doors that provide privacy while filling the home with natural light.
Wide view of the remodeled kitchen and dining area featuring exposed wood beams, skylights, and seamless connection to the living room and backyard deck for everyday family living.
Interior stairway with custom wood treads and metal handrail, designed to connect the multilevel addition while allowing light to flow between floors.
Primary bedroom with exposed wood ceiling beams, wide windows, and sliding glass doors opening to a private balcony, creating a light-filled retreat with views over the surrounding neighborhood.
Upper-level family or bedroom space with clerestory windows, built-in storage, and a seating area that brings in daylight while maintaining privacy on a compact urban lot.
Primary bathroom vanity with dual sinks, custom walnut cabinetry, and modern fixtures, allowing multiple family members to use the space comfortably at the same time.
Primary bathroom featuring a freestanding soaking tub, wood accent wall, glass shower enclosure with bench, and skylights that create a calm and spa-like retreat.
JADU bathroom with walk-in shower, mosaic tile accent wall, modern fixtures, and custom vanity, providing a comfortable and accessible space for guests or family members.
Compact JADU kitchen featuring custom walnut cabinetry with teal accent panels, integrated appliances, and an efficient layout designed to maximize storage and function in a small space.

Midcentury Addition, ADU + Remodel

El Cerrito, CA

  • Year Built: 2023

    Second story Bedroom addition with ground level ADU, new Kitchen and Living areas and Entry

    Midcentury modern and contemporary details are on display throughout this remodel for a family. The additions yielded a better entry experience, more living space inside and out, an attached ADU at the front, and a luxurious Primary Bedroom and Bathroom.

    • The clients wanted to maximize space so we bumped out the lower front to create a Junior (attached) Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) suitable for family and guests. The roof of this addition forms the deck above.

    • At the main level we relocated the Entry to the home and expanded at the right rear to create more expansive Kitchen and Dining areas. Note the clerestory (upper wall) windows over the back hallway and folding door to the deck that let in lots of natural light.

    • Also at the back, a Bathroom and Laundry area are easily accessible while being unobtrusive off a short hall at the back of the home.

    • The Owners wanted an easy flow in and out of the back of their home. We designed the planter box so they wouldn’t need railings at the new deck.

    • The second story addition went through several transformations as we worked to create a generously sized Main Bedroom and Bathroom with a balcony that would fit below the City’s “daylight plane” design restrictions.

    • Levitch worked extensively with the clients on design elements for the project including

      • Handrail and trellis design at exterior

      • Living Room rug

      • Cabinetry and vanity designs, including the JADU Kitchen cabinets that step back over the sink to make the space work hard and maximize storage in a compact space

      • Finishes: exterior colors; colors, finishes and pulls for the Kitchen; tile; wood treatment at tub area in Primary Bath, accessories and pulls for all Bathrooms

      • Plumbing fixtures

    Photography by Treve Johnson

  • We love living here!

    Thank you for building our beautiful home! The precision, craft and professionalism give us pause daily. We love living here! Our family and friends love coming over. You have designed and executed everything we imagined – light, comfort, modernism and beauty. It has been fun and a great pleasure working with you.

    J. P. + M. W.

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