Ritchie Remodel, Oakland, CA

First Place, 2001 Remodeling Master Award, Conservatories & Sunrooms

This 1920's Colonial Revival hillside home needed access to its backyard. The addition of a ground-level, south-facing sunroom on the rear of the three-story residence (including a balcony and terrace off the main floor above the sunroom) was the solution. A grand staircase leads from the balcony down to the formal garden which features an intermediate landing with a bench. New Colonial light fixtures were specified and matching wrought iron handrails were alternated with solid stucco guardrails to balance the rhythm of the arches in the loggia below. The custom cornice above the sunroom helps reduce the three-story mass and conceals a gutter which collects runoff from the new terrace and balcony.

Shaw Remodel, Oakland, CA

2003 Category Winner, Most Accessible Remodel, Chrysalis Award

This 1917 "in-law" needed to be repaired and remodeled and made accessible for a senior citizen. The wall between the kitchen and living room was removed to create an open family-room type of space. A sunny, south-facing bay window expanded the kitchen while a "barrier-free" shower room was relocated to a sunny corner of the in-law. A priority was to maintain the unit's historic, Craftsman character. After completely modernizing the cottage's infrastructure, the "old" in-law still retained its cozy Arts & Crafts ambience. This was achieved by repairing (instead of replacing) the old bead-board ceiling, replicating wood casings for doors and windows, and selecting finishes and light fixtures typical of 1917. The finishing touch was splurging on two new leaded glass windows in the living room.