The clients wanted a two story home large enough for their family. The existing was a modest cottage on a small lot with many constraints. If it was to be torn down and re-built, to comply to zoning regulations, it would end up even more narrow than the existing home. If a second floor was added on top, in addition to being more narrow for zoning code, it would not be able to have any windows along the sides because building codes don't allow windows that close to property lines.
The solution was to raise the existing to a second floor height and build a new open plan first floor underneath. That way the now second floor could keep the existing windows. The first floor being open gets plenty of light from the front, back, and also by placing the stairs under the original skylight that had been in the former kitchen.
From the Dwell article:
This Berkeley couple decided to transform their 952 square foot bungalow, on a narrow 2500 square foot lot (25 feet wide by 100 feet long), by lifting their existing house to form a second story and building a new first story underneath.
Read the entire write up here: https://www.dwell.com/home/berkeley-bungalow-lift-c6a7e7ea
When we first bought our tiny, single-story Berkeley bungalow over a decade ago as a young couple just out of grad school, we had no idea we would eventually transform it into a two-story, 1900+ square foot home fit for a family of four.
The challenges with our project are too numerous to list here - all of which is to say that Sue navigated each with skill and enthusiasm. Sue is creative yet practical, helping us achieve a design that fits our modern aesthetics yet is functional for our family, maximizing every square foot on a small lot. She is an excellent listener. Often, owners aren't able to clearly articulate what they want, or have conflicting desires. She carefully listened to both of us and made suggestions that made complete sense. We recommend her without hesitation and would use her again in a heartbeat should we ever attempt another remodel!