Josh Greene and Renée Gertler asked CODA and Manthripragada to collaborate on an addition to their Berkeley residence that would add maximum useable space with minimum funds. Josh is a conceptual artist and Renée is a sculptor. They have one daughter, Neela, who is 3, and another baby on the way. Josh works at home.
The proposal opens up the existing interior to increase the living space, replacing one removed bedroom and adding two small children’s rooms. Most notably, the proposal shifts the built footprint to the side, maintain views to the existing living area, and maximizing the garden volume. In order to consider the garden as a third ‘room’ which is conceptually part of the house, the garden walls of the existing and the new addition are wrapped with a consistent skin to unify the outdoor space.
Neela House is a 4,100 sq.ft. property. The addition is 630 sq.ft. (3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and one shed) of enclosed space.
The courtyard and pergola created are 800 sq.ft. After schematic design, Manthripragada is responsible for design and construction documentation for Phase 1 while CODA is responsible for design of Phase 2 (Construction documents and supervision by Manthripragada.) Construction begins Summer 2016.