2025 Home Tours

Docents get a free ticket as thanks!

This Year's Homes

Reciprocity House

Architecture Firm: Studio Urbis

This house weaves together steep topography, creek environment, a field of oak trees, and the living spaces for a family of four deep inside a suburban block – integrating the landscape and interior spaces.

The home and guest house organizes an exchange with the landscape through a fingering that alternates building program with landscape elements. The alternation begins with the guest house, with a green roof set low into the ground. An office and garage are offset behind the guest house, offering a view of the creek. The public spaces of the home come next, extending as a peninsula from the entry courtyard to the bank of the creek. The finale program peninsula houses the master suite, positioned up-slope to increase privacy. Connecting them all is access running along the courtyard.

Terrace House

Architecture Firm: Gunkel Architecture

Terraced into the hillside at the end of a quiet Point Richmond street, this new contemporary home utilizes a reverse plan to capture dramatic bay views from the spacious top-floor great room. Retractable window walls and generous decks create a seamless indoor/outdoor living environment.

A cozy sunk-in lounge connects the two main floors to mitigate the discontinuity often found in reverse-plan houses. Two home studios face each other across an intimate landscaped court with storefront walls offering visual connectivity while providing sound separation.

Villa Ritiro

Architecture Firm: Studio Bergtraun Architects

This stunning, architect-designed home with a seamlessly integrated ADU explores thoughtful, modern living. Created by a retired architect couple, it balances contemporary design with the character of its Berkeley neighborhood. Natural light, indoor-outdoor flow, and sustainable materials shape a space that’s both functional and artful. Built to “age in place,” it offers flexible living—private yet open for gatherings. The ADU complements the main house, enhancing the property’s versatility. With studio space for creativity and smart reuse of materials, this home is a masterclass in beauty, sustainability, and livability. A visit reveals the journey behind its inspired design.

5th Street ADU

Designer:Elliott Build Remodel, LLC
Architecture Firm: Devi Dutta ARCHITECTURE Inc.
Photography by Kat Alves

This West Berkeley ADU is a masterclass in smart design. Designer-builder Kirsten Elliott Rich and Devi Dutta Architecture transformed a compact space into a functional, light-filled home. A salvaged arched door opens to a sleek living area with built-in storage. A skylit stairway leads to two bright bedrooms and a jewel-box powder room. Clever use of under-stair and mid-landing spaces maximizes every inch. Salvaged details add charm, while an office, sauna, and outdoor shower enhance livability. More than just an ADU, this stylish retreat proves a backyard cottage can be both beautiful and practical.