Merced Street Craftsman

Clients from Virginia decided to invest in a home that was nearer to their Bay Area children and grandchildren. After a broad search, they landed upon a dilapidated bungalow from 1913, in the heart of Berkley, and in need of a complete renovation. They enjoyed the idea of sinking their teeth into a local project, one that would preserve an original Craftsman, while providing modern comforts. 

When purchased, the house was concealed by decades of overgrowth. Neighbors walking by had to detour into the street because of shrubs that had overshot the sidewalk. One of two redwood trees standing in the backyard had overturned the garage foundation and needed to be removed for safety. So, the first step was clearing the yard to better understand the beauty of the location. Similarly, the house had good bones, but years of neglect meant that the original cedar shingles and roof were no longer effective, the interiors weathered, and all of the services in need of replacement. 

Both the interior and exterior were carefully restored with a sensitivity to the original construction; however, modern materials and systems were incorporated to ensure the house’s continued longevity. For example, the building, being over 100 years old, lacked a quality of light that is functionally expected in a more contemporary home. So we recommended a combination of direct and indirect lighting be incorporated throughout the house, as well as a skylight above the stairwell, for natural light to penetrate the dark interior.

It was decided to spatially swap the original kitchen with a back bedroom. This provided the kitchen access to the back garden via a new porch, allowing for outside dining and gatherings in warmer weather. To access the dining room, the kitchen was minimally expanded by 50 square feet, showing that sometimes it’s possible to meet the project goals without a large addition. A utility porch was repurposed as a butler’s pantry and bathroom. The cracked firebox and seismically unsafe chimney were replaced with a gas insert, and the original fireplace tiles salvaged and reinstalled. A verdigris metal roof with a long lifespan adds character by referencing the original trim color while providing a modern contrast to the cedar shingles. 

In the end, neighbors came forward to express their appreciation for the restoration.  In rejuvenating the home, our clients helped to rejuvenate the community. The family now happily hosts their grandchildren for sleepovers and playtime in the garden.

“Stacy Eisenmann is one of the finest architects I've had the pleasure to work with. Her organization, forethought, and level of detail are of the highest caliber. As a contractor I rely on a collaborative process. Eisenmann architecture is great at solving problems as they arise, collaborating with both our clients and our staff to come up with great solutions while keeping both the budget and ease of construction in mind. If you are interviewing several Architects for your project, I can't recommend Eisenmann Architecture highly enough!”

- Severin Oliver, Oliver Builders (Contractor)