Oakland Residence

For this 1920s California Bungalow (a more modest version of the Craftsman Bungalow) the architectural parti was to preserve the outer shell and existing Douglas-fir wood floors of the structure and work within the existing “box” to express a transformative design experience.

The interior wood framing (walls and ceiling) was not demolished but carefully deconstructed, refinished and repurposed to frame new kitchen cabinets, office built-ins and a bathroom vanity. It was also from the original reclaimed wood that a unique dining table was custom designed by Mauricio and built by Thomas Hughes in Berkeley.

To enhance indoor air quality and to move away from forced air heating systems, the project included a hydronic floor heating system and renewable sheep-wool insulation was chosen to insulate walls and roof cavities.

By the hands of Benito Steen, a young and incredibly talented artist-builder, the reclaimed wood cabinets, concrete countertops, and repurposed door jamb wall panels were created. He also worked on the plumbing, framing and radiant heating systems of the house.