Retirement Home Redux

Berkeley, CA

Front of home with new metal railings and gate along stepped walkway with new landscaping and a seating area in the front yard
Approach to the home up shallow steps toward new courtyard gate
Courtyard approach to the front door, with a wall of new windows to take in the view and light
Custom entry bench/screen to the hallway with the coat closet disguised behind the same vertical wood elements
Living Room looking from the Dining area toward the Entrance door
New Living Room, completely opened up with a new ridge beam, skylights and lots of glass at either end. Sound dampening panels are mounted at the ceiling.
Remodeled Living Room looking toward the rear yard access and diagonally to the Kitchen
Special flush door in closed position
Special flush door in partially open position
Special flush door in fully open position
Storage leading into Bathroom
Bedroom with wide door opening to support ageing in place
New Bathroom with wall-mounted vanity, toilet and glass-enclosed shower covered in large-format beige tile. The shower has a window with privacy glass, a bench and a niche.
New Kitchen looking past the island with seating toward large windows that face the rear yard, with space for an armchair at the left rear corner
Kitchen island with seating looking toward exterior wall with range, sink and windows. Cabinets and fridge continue around the corner to the right.
New Kitchen looking toward the front of the house. The Living Room is visible beyond and to the right through folding doors.
Kitchen detail with large island lit by pendant fixtures, wood cabinetry and skylights in the vaulted ceiling
Detail of folding doors with frosted glass between the Kitchen and the Living/Dining area

Retirement Home Redux

Berkeley, CA

  • Year Built: 2024

    This was a complete remodel of a midcentury home to allow for ageing in place. The owners had relocated from a colder part of the country and fully embraced the Bay area climate with enhanced connections to the outdoors via new windows, glazed doors and skylights.

    Living Spaces

    • The living areas had been much more separate, with a fireplace previously dividing the Living and Dining rooms.

    • We opened up the space with a ridge beam that runs the length of the room, vaulted ceilings in a new roof shape, skylights and additional doors and windows at both ends.

    • The fireplace is now an inviting feature in an exterior wall.

    • The Kitchen received a 45 SF addition into the back yard and a complete remodel.

    • It features custom wood cabinets, a generous island with space to sit and glowing pendant lights. A stone backsplash that extends to the base of the hood over the range.

    • The addition yielded room for a cozy chair in the back corner.

    • Accordion doors of frosted glass form a flexible connection to the Living/Dining area.

    • A special flush door can seamlessly open or close to the Bedroom hallway beyond.

    The Bedrooms and Bathrooms also got a refresh so everything is new for this retired couple to live in their home worry-free for years to come.

    Photography by Treve Johnson

  • “My wife and I enthusiastically recommend Levitch Associates. We renovated our entire house and our experience was highly positive. Levitch’s design process took account of our needs and … we re-occupied our home right on schedule.

    Our project was … at the agreed price, and the change orders we made were reasonably priced and initiated by us. Maurice Levitch, his staff and crew, and subcontractors were always friendly and accommodating and the construction site was kept clean. We were consulted at significant decision points and … involved in myriad details, per our choice.

    Home remodeling … isn’t for the faint of heart, but we love the end result of our collaboration with Levitch. Our home gives us pleasure every day and our visitors remark on how peaceful our home feels. We would use Levitch again in a heartbeat.”

    -P. V.

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