Architects Jong & Jong of Berkeley, California have combined traditional Japanese design elements with contemporary living. This home is a place to find peace and balance, a place that promotes relaxation, appreciation of natural elements and provides a setting for both private and social occasions. This is a home that needs to be felt not just seen! Upon entering you look through bamboo trees growing up three stories to the huge central atrium with its soaring wall of glass reaching up three floors and then to the sky. It floods the home with natural light and uninterrupted views to the western hills. This expansive use of glass creates a space where both the indoors and outdoors meld into an astonishing blend of art, architecture and nature. The rest of the home is then tiered up and open to this amazing volume of space, light and views. Every element was carefully selected to make the home harmonious and elegant. The neutral colors and carefully chosen materials such as white birch (light wood) and slate are consistent throughout giving the design center stage. The extensive use of shoji screens – light weight screens that transmit light – can create rooms without walls and allows the flexibility for either an open flow or intimate spaces. They create soft and airy walls (and doors) providing a clean, uniform and pleasing look to the entire home. The use of built-ins in every room also adds to this peaceful uncluttered feeling.
The main level is the heart of this home. The living room takes center stage in the atrium, with its fireplace and access to the massive deck and uninterrupted views west to the Berkeley hills. Balanced on either side are walls of shoji screens giving a clean and uncluttered look while shielding the eye from the large built-in entertainment center on one side and the long granite countered wet bar on the opposite side. It is an ideal space for taking in the wonderful views from dusk to dawn and for entertaining both indoors and out. The dining area features an amazing ebony table which can remain at standard height or be lowered for traditional Japanese dining. This central area is balanced with the kitchen area to one side and the master suite to the other. With the shojis open you can see thru the entire home, when closed they create private spaces. The kitchen is a cooks dream come true with granite counters, high end appliances abundant storage and counter space. The large center island with cook top becomes the gathering place for casual entertaining. It is open to a family room with a wall of built-ins and a “greenhouse” area for casual dining including a built-in workstation. The side deck off the kitchen is nestled in the oak trees with a built-in bar-b-q and sink. On the opposite side of the house is the master suite. The generous bedroom has built-ins, walk-in closet and a private side deck with hot tub. The bathroom features a slate and glass double shower and a deep soaking tub.
Up a tier is an open “bridge” hallway connecting both sides of the home, on one side there are two ensuite bedrooms and a private deck. Balanced on the other side is an additional bedroom with private deck and a guest suite. On the uppermost tier is the spacious office/family room. This private sanctuary has its own “bridge” overlooking the atrium and fabulous views west. With its deck in the oaks, it is secluded yet still very “connected” to the rest of the spaces.
This is a home to awe and amaze, not just with its setting and design but in how it feels. The minute you walk in you can feel it soothing you and making you more calm and relaxed. The spaces are both vast and intimate and you are never away from a view. Each room opens to the central area yet still has its own private setting. Truly a unique place to call home.
The exceptional oak studded lot is located off a private road and is just over an acre abutting private open space which provides ultimate priv
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