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Property: 2.19 acre
Situated high in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills, this magnificent 2.19 acre site slopes sharply to the west with stunning bay views while abutting the East Bay Regional Park on the north and east. Given this unique setting, a series of 2 and 3 story board-formed concrete core walls and columns were established to support 3 clear-span floor plates stepping down the hillside.
These concrete elements have been scaled to achieve a harmonic counterpoint alongside the redwoods – neither to overwhelm nor be overwhelmed. While doing so, they support the program’s massing allowing it to be sculpted to the site. The project utilizes simple, natural exterior materials including, wood (cedar siding), board formed concrete, cement plaster with acrylic finish coat, and trellis shaded aluminum, high-performance glass windows and doors.
Main entrance of the house.
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Modern backyard area.
Backyard view of the house.
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Jon Dykstra
Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.
His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.
His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn