A Redwood-Clad Midcentury With an In-Law Unit Lists for $1.75M in Berkeley, California
Built by designer Louise Rigg for her family in 1963, the home overlooks the scenic San Francisco Bay Area from its lush, 6,500-square-foot lot.
In the aptly named Berkeley Hills neighborhood of Berkeley, California, a 1963 residence built by designer Louise Rigg for her family peeks out through the surrounding trees on a steep, wooded slope. The property at 131 Tamalpais Road showcases a number of the designer’s signature elements, including a material palette of polished concrete, brick, copper, and colorful glazed tiles, as well as ample glazing to bring natural light into the home.
Designer Louise Rigg built the home at 131 Tamalpais Road in Berkeley, California, for her family in 1963.
Photo by Peter Lyons
Tucked behind a private, enclosed patio at the entrance, the front door opens to a spacious, sunken living/dining area with double-height ceilings and concrete floors. A tall copper fireplace adds a pop contrast against a brick wall, which sits adjacent to a fully glazed partition with sliding doors that connect to a large deck at the rear of the home.
The entrance is tucked behind a private, enclosed patio.
Photo by Peter Lyons
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A spacious living/dining area features concrete floors, double-height ceilings, and a fully glazed wall with sliding doors.
Photo by Peter Lyons
A tall copper fireplace sits against a brick wall near the room’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Photo by Peter Lyons
A suspended staircase leads to the second level.
Photo by Peter Lyons
A partition with intentionally placed openings demarcates the dining area from the kitchen.
Photo by Peter Lyons
In addition to the living/dining area, the first level hosts two bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a kitchen, laundry room, and gym. Upstairs, there are two bedrooms and one bathroom. The 2,389-square-foot structure also includes a separate in-law apartment with a bedroom, bath, kitchenette, and living/dining area situated below the main home. A smaller deck on this level connects to the in-law unit’s living/dining area.
The redwood-clad kitchen features glazed-tile countertops and floors, as well as updated appliances.
Photo by Peter Lyons
The sunken living/dining area features concrete slab floors.
Photo by Peter Lyons
One of the upstairs bedrooms includes a "sitting area" that can be used as an en suite office.
Photo by Peter Lyons
This upstairs bedroom is lined on one side with windows that overlook the living/dining area.
Photo by Peter Lyons
"One of the traits that makes this home so special is the very set intentions that went into it," says listing agent Ana Forest of Red Oak Realty. "Louise Rigg was known for being very particular with a lot of her projects, including this household. She wanted it to allow her family to grow, leave, return, and also have extended family and friends stay and enjoy the space."
Throughout the home, wooden built-ins provide ample storage.
Photo by Peter Lyons
A fully glazed wall connects the main indoor living area to a spacious deck.
Photo by Peter Lyons
A landscaped backyard provides additional outdoor gathering areas on the 6,500-square-foot lot. From the backyard, a private gate leads to Berkeley’s Codornices Park, which features picnic areas and walking trails shaded by oaks, bay trees, and redwoods. Scroll to see more of the 1963 home, which is currently listed for $1,750,000.
On the first level, one of the bedrooms features an en suite bathroom.
Photo by Peter Lyons
This bedroom also opens to the deck that connects to the open-plan living/dining area.
Photo by Peter Lyons
The home features two fireplaces, one of which is in the other bedroom on the first floor.
Photo by Peter Lyons
A gym connects to a laundry room near the entrance on the first level.
Photo by Peter Lyons
The 1963 residence features a separate in-law apartment with a bedroom, bath, kitchenette, and living/dining area.
Photo by Peter Lyons
The living/dining space in the in-law unit connects to its own private deck.
Photo by Peter Lyons
Small clerestory windows bring more natural light into the bedroom of the in-law unit.
Photo by Peter Lyons
The home’s 6,500-square-foot lot also includes a landscaped backyard.
Photo by Peter Lyons
Thanks to ample glazing and outdoor gathering spaces, the Berkeley residence offers impressive views of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Photo by Peter Lyons
131 Tamalpais Road in Berkeley, California, is currently listed for $1,750,000 by Ana Forest of Red Oak Realty.
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