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Most notably, green patinated copper adorns this Oakland midcentury home’ s exterior, creating a quilt-like appearance. Tyler was able to salvage large pieces of historical flashing from an airplane hangar at the WWII Alameda Naval Air Station 20 minutes away. The firm’ s fabrication team( already well trained in copper roofing) cut up the flashing into square shingles to invent a new siding system. These quilt-like pieces flat lock into shingles with a vertical T-metal system. Copper’ s natural resistance to corrosion and durability made it ideal for withstanding the challenging weather conditions of the San Francisco Bay Area and salt from the ocean. These copper tiles now adorn 70 percent of the home as a patinated blue-green siding system. Celebrating the 90-year-old patina developed by the copper embodies the firm’ s design tenets and intimate connection to craft that inform the home’ s design.
The home is a curation of mindful reuse and passive design practices. Most materials were chosen for their durability and the story they evoke as they respond to the passage of time in their natural, unprocessed state. Blackboard slate reclaimed from a local grocery store, honey-golden aging walnut flooring salvaged from an office renovation, and custom-fabricated elements from steel and ipe scrap materials further highlight the commitment to durable, locally sourced materials that respond gracefully to the passage of time.
The Radiant Hills House reflects a deep reverence for its site. Set on a ridge with expansive views of the San Francisco Bay, the home bridges two distinct ecological zones. The East side is shaded by heritage oaks and redwoods. The West side opens to the Pacific Ocean and headlands. This orientation informs the design, creating an indoor-outdoor living experience that adapts to the unique microclimates of the Oakland Hills. The project navigated several site constraints, including challenging topography and preserving natural features such as a 4-foot diameter Monterey Cypress tree and an on-site creek. The phased approach to renovation allowed for a thoughtful and adaptive response to these challenges, ensuring the home remains intimately connected to its site.
Given the family’ s strong musical roots and love for hosting, the front renovation centered on creating a warm gathering space for family and friends to come together, dine, and enjoy
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