The lovely owners of this bayfront residence approached me to improve their home, though unsure of what they were after. It became clear that the existing window and door placement did not take advantage of this unique location. The house is on the SF bay, within earshot of large numbers of migrating and local bird populations. Views of the bay from within were constricted, and access to the backyard was limited. Expansive views of the bay and City skyline were … Read More
The existing kitchen was crowded, with inadequate storage, poor flow and use of space. The connection to the dining room was improved and the kitchen extension was widened by incorporating an unnecessary hallway. Cabinetry was added throughout to maximize storage. Before:
An existing garage was stripped down to its wood framing in order to create a new Studio ADU in its place and location. A kitchen wing was added, complying with current setbacks. Before:
A high-risk pregnancy medical practice and specialized doctors of the highest caliber moved into an existing medical suite. I wanted to create a fresh look worthy of their talent and expertise and comfortable and welcoming for the patients and their families. While solving spatial and practical problems, my aim was to create a calm, peaceful and uplifting environment. A fresh look was imagined with the patients in mind taking cues from this sunny Southern California town. Walls were knocked down … Read More
A great space in Berkeley’s famed “Gourmet Ghetto” caught the eye of an enterprising duo of visionary businessmen. The design of the space was created to be welcoming to students and families alike. Fitting all the necessary appliances into a tight space as well as complying with the Berkeley Health Department proved to be a fun exercise. Seating was maximized to accommodate a maximum number of patrons. The novel concept of a Game Board Cafe serving excellent coffee and special … Read More
The existing kitchen seemed too small for a house of this size. How could a family of four manage in this small, crowded and dark kitchen? Without adding on, or taking over the family room, the design strategy of this kitchen remodel was to maximize counter and storage space while creating the illusion of spaciousness. Here again, connecting the kitchen to the Dining Room visually and functionally was key to the design. Before: General Contractor and Custom cabinetry by Shigoto … Read More
This traditional bungalow with its small rooms did not suit its new owners looking for a contemporary aesthetic and modern open living spaces. Structural changes made it possible to create a sense of cohesion and openness. Dual glazed aluminum windows installed throughout the house added natural light and ventilation and greater energy efficiency. New energy efficient appliances transformed this bungalow into a modern home. Before:
A family with a young child living in an arts and crafts cottage needed more room without altering their historic home. A new structure was added in the rear yard to serve as a multi purpose retreat. Before: Garner McAleer Construction
A family of four with growing boys needed additional rooms and did not want to leave the neighborhood. A second story was added to their corner lot house, linking up split levels. The ground floor living spaces were reconfigured for better flow opening up to a new kitchen at the rear. The new upstairs wing added two bedrooms and a bathroom. The new skylit stair was tucked in without an inch to spare. Before: Canivet Construction