Out with the old. In with modern 

A substantial addition to the rear of this house became an opporunity to do something completely different and break from the traditional form of the existing house. Use of Japanese burnt cedar — called Shou Sugi Ban — maitains a connection to the Berkeley tradition of Arts and Crafts houses with heavy use of natural wood, while making a decidedly modern statement. Careful selection of materials updates the front of the house and forms a stylistic bridge to the modern additon at the rear.