Resilient Bay-View Family Home

berkeley, ca

Kentucky (2)_c.jpg
The stepped hillside structure is organized around multiple terraces and balconies, extending interior living spaces outward. Dark stucco, natural wood siding, and metal railings create a warm, modern material contrast.
Rear view of the home with pergola-covered back deck and a patio covered in pavers to maximize usable space on this sloping lot.
This is the front of the ADU. Deep window recesses that the Owner requested are visible at the right side of the home, and provide shading and visual interest. The deck extends over the new Garage to make the most of outdoor space on this sloping sit
ADA compliant ADU Bathroom with a barrier-free (curbless) shower, knee space under the sink, and plenty of room to move freely. The deep sea blue and green shower tiles wrapping around the enclosure contrast the light elements of the rest of the Bath
ADA living area with sleeping area and Kitchen. The Bathroom and a generous closet are down the hallway, and Bay views are behind.
A playful grid of muted green, blue, cream, and charcoal tiles gives the compact bathroom a distinctive mid-century character. The continuous tile wrapping and integrated tub create a strong geometric architectural composition for the Kids' Bath.
Primary Bath. A white stone countertop is integrated with custom Oak cabinetry and open shelving, creating a warm, streamlined vanity. Backlit mirror and textured sconces add a refined layer of ambient lighting. Terrazzo tiles at floor.
Primary Bath showing connection to a Bedroom and striped tile design at the "wet room" with a shower and freestanding tub.
Bold, striped tiles define the shower enclosure. Warm copper fixtures and terrazzo flooring introduce texture and contrast within the bright, contemporary space.
Natural oak treads and a sculptural wood handrail soften the crisp black metal balustrade, creating a refined contrast of warm and industrial materials. The large window at the landing brings natural light into the circulation space.
The open stair acts as a sculptural element within the living space, maintaining visual continuity between levels while connecting directly to the Kitchen.
Custom blue cabinetry is paired with highly expressive stone countertops and backsplash, creating a bold focal point against the warm oak floor and ceiling. Integrated appliances and custom Levitch made cabinetry maintain a clean, cohesive compositio
Rich blue cabinetry, dramatic veined stone, warm oak flooring, and a wood-clad ceiling establish a layered, contemporary aesthetic. Exposed beams and the open-plan layout reinforce the Kitchen as the social center of the home.
View from the upper deck toward the Dining and Bar area. The Pantry is behind the white wall at the center, and glimpses of the Bay are visible in the reflection in the panoramic doors.
Deck with reflected Bay views in the windows. The mix of wood siding, decking, metal sconces and railing is consistent throughout the design.
Upper front view of the home showing the metal-clad roof, clerestory windows that light the living spaces, and decks

Resilient Bay-View Family Home

Berkeley, CA

  • Year Completed: 2025

    The Owners wanted to remodel the home in which he’d grown up, as sustainably as possible. The upslope, 5,000 SF site in the Berkeley Hills enjoys panoramic views of the Bay from San Francisco to Mt. Tam. What began as a consultation to review schematic designs an architect friend had prepared grew into a full design/build project.

    Based on early designs, estimates and our structural engineer’s input, we determined it wouldn’t be feasible to remodel the existing home to meet three generations of family needs. The decision to build new involved tradeoffs. Zoning approvals requiring neighbors’ agreement and changes to the roof structure and pitch followed, along with bringing everything up to current standards including a fully electric home. Did we mention the site is also about 900’ from the Hayward Fault and in a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Zone with a high risk of wildfires?

    We started with a 1,773 SF 3-story home with a one-car Garage. By expanding the footprint slightly and increasing the maximum height by just 1.5’, we created a 3-story, 3,310 SF main home that has 5 Bedrooms and 3.5 Baths and rewards the climb to the top floor with expansive living spaces opening to Bay views through panoramic doors.

    There is also a 494 SF JADU at the lowest living level, just above the new 2-car Garage for easiest access.

    Some of the strategies we employed to mitigate site risks include:

    • Deep footings, concrete stem walls embedded in the hillside, and a matt slab to create a sturdy foundation that mitigates the risk of weak and shifting ground conditions

    • A “shield” encasing the house in layers of non-combustible construction

    • Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) form above-grade walls and roof panels, creating a close-to-airtight envelope for energy efficiency and improving indoor air quality during poor air quality days.

    • An integrated Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) supports passive survivability and livability by exchanging heat while filtering air intake. Paired with modular blowers throughout the house, clean, temperature-regulated air circulates to each space to improve IAQ.

    • All exterior doors and triple-pane windows have an exceptionally high U-value of 0.81 W/m²K to help regulate interior temperatures and improve comfort while admitting ample natural light that also reduces the need for artificial lighting. 


    Architect of Record and General Contractor: Levitch Associates, Inc.

    Design Architect: Michael Spinello, AIA

    Landscape: Bernardo Lopez, Latitude 37

    SIPs: Gwen Bertolami, Bertolami Engineering

    Interior Design: Kim Chau Design

    Finish Photography: Treve Johnson

    Progress Photos: Levitch Staff

  • See how things looked before we started, below, including before & after site plans.

Process

BEFORE + AFTER

Next

Green Development Project, Berkeley