Oakland 1 Residence
Oakland, California
Published: Sunset Magazine
This house is located on a steep downslope. The Owner requested an inexpensive, minimalist, “hi-tech” home with traditional East Bay plywood cladding. He also wanted a house that was simple in its plan organization.
The least expensive solution was to build a home with a narrow, rectangular foundation locked into solid rock with “shear keys” as opposed to pier foundations. With this in mind, a 23’ x 71’ building evolved with garage and bedrooms on the upper level and living spaces on the lower level. The house is organized into four vertical bands of circulation: decks and entry on the east exterior band, then stairs, then horizontal circulation on each level, and finally, rooms on the west side of the house. Simple white gypsum walls and carpet are used throughout the house.