Architect-Designed Double-Yurt Retreat in West Berkeley

Description

This distinctive 749-square-foot home is composed of two connected twelve-sided structures, designed by David Raitt, a longtime specialist in yurt-inspired architecture and natural building. The larger space is an airy, open-plan living, dining, kitchen and work area, with soaring pine ceilings, skylights and beautiful natural plaster walls. The twelve-sided geometry gives the room an unusual sense of openness and calm, while the warm wood and breathable natural finishes make it feel grounded and comfortable. The adjoining structure contains the semi-private bedroom and completes a home that feels much larger and more expansive than its square footage suggests. The house is fully furnished and thoughtfully appointed, including an excellent high-end stereo system, silk rugs, in-unit laundry and a private infrared sauna. A private outdoor patio extends the living space and offers a quiet place to read, work, eat or simply sit outside. The home has its own private entrance and feels quite separate and self-contained. Street parking is readily available. Utilities are included, making it particularly easy for someone arriving in Berkeley for a sabbatical, visiting appointment or extended stay. Located on Parker Street in West Berkeley, the house offers convenient access to UC Berkeley, Fourth Street, Berkeley Bowl, cafés, restaurants and the rest of the Bay Area while providing a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city. This is not a conventional apartment or generic furnished rental. It is a warm, beautifully crafted small home with remarkable architectural character, natural materials and a wonderful sense of space. It would be especially well suited to a visiting academic, writer, artist, researcher or professional looking for a quiet and inspiring place to live and work in Berkeley.