https://www.ghadesign.net/projects daily 1.0 2025-12-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545420996550-IGWSU5URHIXI0ISEWAE8/DSC_0120.jpg Portfolio - Berkeley House Lift This project has presented us the opportunity to serve clients with a small budget and excess of creativity and resourcefulness. The thorough and thoughtful approach of these owner builders to green building has made them a pleasure to work with. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1570489697388-AN705H9J5O1OTOMBDFWV/P1010279.jpg Portfolio - Oakland Artist's Studio Set within an unusual and tightly constrained urban lot, this project makes use of a very simple volume to introduce light and views into affordable studio space for two working artists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1576712582842-987S4GORXAH4Y4SS8YMD/Somary_FrontYard8.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1578351834544-N6TOXAYQYGV7CXM79TIB/437-Image06.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1578352474615-BGJMB0C06BJQXBMRJZFK/Holton-197F.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1570216001136-NOT2TPWBC62W8DC5KAPM/2015-04-26.jpg Portfolio - Danville Remodel Our clients for this project had a modest but realistic budget, and a clear vision for an ecologically minded contemporary remodel. We collaborated with an engineer to open up the interior of their modest 1970’s ranch house, and strategically introduced daylight using exposed structural steel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545090313843-5UNVE0DP2A79YDFW4IQZ/IMG_1047_r.jpg Portfolio - North Berkeley Addition Located in the North Berkeley flats, this 750 sf addition to an existing residence adds a new office, laundry area, pantry and 2nd floor guest suite. The client's goals included harmonizing with the existing 90 year old cottage while also creating a distinctly modern addition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1579022901592-1UAYXLIG37FB09QO41QM/IMG_9694.jpg Portfolio Landscape adjacent to the house was based on schematic design by GHA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1579816246452-3BNWMRPPXJSLZSV45CXQ/Holton-305F.jpg Portfolio - Central Berkeley Addition At the site scale this project creates a series of outdoor garden rooms both in front and in back, using inexpensive and recycled materials whenever possible. It also reflects a 17 year exploration of living sustainably on a small urban lot, pairing architecture with water-smart systems and a variety of food producing gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1575678821288-3QL7Y8624Y4P0YRGB2S1/Water_Tower.jpg Portfolio The project also included an award winning renovation of an eighty year old water tower into a home office. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545346184540-H17DY1A4U16XUIRKCSZP/IMG_0238.JPG Portfolio - Orinda Residence Remodel The owners of this modest 1970’s ranch house approached us with a desire to totally transform it on a moderate budget. We focused on public spaces while integrating a new 375 sf family room over the garage. We also worked with the owners to achieve a much more modern home, paying careful attention to material selection and their family’s use of interior space. The remodeled home includes a contemporary kitchen and a light-filled, open plan. Floor and ceiling planes modulate scale while new windows and doors open the house to distant views and a beautiful hillside lot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1581013681653-IDOB8PUBL34A650EYTMR/B%3AParker_StairSketch_200206.jpg Portfolio Initial “Stair Village” concept sketch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1581441698550-NOHFL0MTWPBB0CHEY8RF/loftspace.jpg Portfolio - Moraga Subtraction Remodel This 1959 ranch style house suffered from a poorly considered 1980s addition. It was left with eight foot ceilings in a vast first floor “great room” and a badly overscaled master bedroom. By subracting second floor area, the remodel carves out a dramatic two story circulation space, as well as a more appropriately scaled and compelling master bedroom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1578512623912-WE71CGHRAQQZHRLQA1ZY/siteplan_allinone.jpg Portfolio - SuburbanRenewal - Strategies for a Sustainable Future This international design competition, sponsored by RIBA-USA and titled “Building a Sustainable World – Life in the Balance”, had no program but was a simple directive to design a community that could help to sustain life on earth. GHA’s proposal, titled SuburbanRenewal, offers a model to address the carbon footprint of auto-dependent US suburbs, while building resiliency to environmental and economic crises. It was a top twelve finalist and symposium invitee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545084764823-ZXGEOD6YQ2C4KN2SYYLQ/SantaCruzMtn-298F.jpg Portfolio - Santa Cruz Mountains Residence This project called for a design philosophy of regeneration and connection to the land. Our master plan proposes the restoration of the topography and native flora of the house's ridge top site, brutally altered by a previous owner. This approach heals the site while providing an entry sequence and privacy for new outdoor spaces. The ridge top restoration and passive solar orientation led to a house plan that embraces two outdoor rooms; one facing south and east, and one facing north and west. All public spaces in the house directly engage one or both of these outdoor spaces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1570213440531-PQ2YSMNK745J6SS0BAO3/AXIOM+build+-+2436+McGee+Berkeley+%282%29_20mb.jpg Portfolio - Berkeley Flats Remodel Avid urban farmers, the clients for this extensive remodel sought to create space for their growing family without significantly expanding the footprint of their home. We designed a basement remodel, all new kitchen and other main level renovations. The project also includes water-smart rainwater harvesting and greywater irrigation systems. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1609892849711-9NID2HRINUYOYH8DU7FW/IMG_20200925_125610.jpg Portfolio - West Berkeley Infill House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1578507059615-YQSI0XNCD7JMXODWOBN8/IMG_20200108_100136.jpg Portfolio - North Berkeley Cottage / Barn Our client for this project was a family of three living in a cottage of less than 600s.f. (shown in dark wood above.) GHA studied 3 options for increasing living area on the very narrow lot. The final design (left-most model above) converts the cottage to a single light-filled public space and includes a dining courtyard, covered breezeway, and a 2-story “barn” addition which houses 3 new bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and laundry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1647963959342-QG978D8R22Q5JD11EXLG/image-asset.jpeg Portfolio - San Francisco Adaptive Reuse A repeat client approached GHA to help them convert an existing concrete medical research building into their home. The project evolved into a collaboration between GHA and Jane Cee of Cee Architects (architect of record.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1729620470186-4C988KE58ZATOTLNDK2P/Exterior-EP-PRINT04.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1724095616828-ROBGAYWG14WG9XD16MNU/PXL_20220817_180458069+copy.jpg Portfolio - El Cerrito Remodel & Addition Our clients for this project intended from the beginning to take advantage of new ADU regulations to build out a two-unit site plan. This directive led to a long slender addition which defines a sunny outdoor room shared with the ADU. The tiny (less than 800s.f.) interior was opened up to light, breezes, and views through to the new gardens. The homeowners are avid gardeners, and in addition to the shared garden courtyard, the front yard was developed as a simple outdoor room for socializing, with fruit trees and other edibles framing the space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545076128553-YJJWPO5WU0E62W02CH07/Hodges_116F3.jpg Portfolio - Queens Road House In addition to a commitment to building green, our clients for this project shared with us three particular goals: To connect to a courtyard or garden; to take advantage of a spectacular Bay view; and to harvest rainfall as a precious resource. These simple ideas became the main form-givers for the house. We kept in mind the Roman Impluvium, an ancient courtyard building type whose roofs flow to a central cistern. In our case, the site suggested an open courtyard linked to a restored native landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1581114196460-ZDYFUKZM1OZCTQSBRY26/MOVOZ_sketch_140519.jpg Portfolio - Movoz Project - Concept Sketch of Mobile Sound Studio In 2014 GHA provided pro-bono services to artist and activist Maruka Opett, to assist in visualizing and promoting her farmworker oral-history project Movoz. Our work involved designing and presenting a re-fitted Airstream trailer which would serve as a mobile recording studio. Though the project is currently dormant, it is one of our all-time favorites. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1570216581934-JV1EZYSD2XYHYRZCHTAV/MuirRidge_HabitatHomePerspective_Rendering_140528.jpg Portfolio We are proud of our 16 year working relationship (as of 2024) with Habitat East Bay / Silicon Valley (HEBSV); a partnership which has resulted in the construction of nearly 50 genuinely affordable housing units throughout the Bay, with over one hundred more currently in feasibility or permitting stages. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1726251293074-CGQQKUV78LXJ2TAEEB6N/00_Spaulding+Header.jpg Portfolio - Tiny ADU - Central Berkeley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1741122442463-HUMSRYI2HMSV0EN81G07/IMG_6842.jpg Portfolio - Large ADU - Central Berkeley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1726253697957-19SZNR9N0SHY0GXGLTFD/IMG_1881%2Bcopy.jpg Portfolio - Small ADU - El Cerrito GHA designed a major addition and remodel to an existing house in El Cerrito, including a new backyard ADU, seen here beyond the garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1578341946786-U35TM34JKKCRM8MXDDAH/StreetFront.JPG Portfolio - Green Alcatraz - 1743 Alcatraz Avenue, Berkeley, CA For this project, GHA acted as contractor, architect and developer of a comprehensive green renovation to an existing 4200 sf commercial/retail building. The project adds 1000 sf with multiple uses, including Red Bay Coffee, a ceramics studio, and office space for numerous design professionals including GHA, while preserving a music recording studio. https://www.ghadesign.net/portfolio daily 0.75 2018-12-20 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/t/5c1c19170ebbe80ebe28b753/1545328825530/ portfolio https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/5c1bd8962b6a2825ce4820df/5c1bd8b970a6ad54825f5e24/1545328825530/ portfolio https://www.ghadesign.net/oakland-hills-addition daily 0.75 2018-12-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545417798739-26FOE0MP89KMCAJNMMRI/ISi7tiltla57k31000000000.jpg Oakland Hills Addition - Oakland Hills Addition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545417798739-26FOE0MP89KMCAJNMMRI/ISi7tiltla57k31000000000.jpg Oakland Hills Addition - Oakland Hills Addition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545417797794-ORBWYOZU4Y64WC9NWNRE/ISeseagpc3x7a41000000000.jpg Oakland Hills Addition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545417799574-HAI01AVI3TW9B4JHYM56/ISinpyzlx72u941000000000.jpg Oakland Hills Addition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545417799753-Q32KC7BJA27896W2EGFO/ISmauk70c8z7c41000000000.jpg Oakland Hills Addition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545417797037-6YQQQQJ1FMM1B61HVBLI/IS6qfz3sbxsw841000000000.jpg Oakland Hills Addition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545417798873-BXI780I1FH40FITUYNTH/ISi79zk8z845941000000000.jpg Oakland Hills Addition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545417797034-5GVDB4UGCURCH1TJ65AR/IS6qnplhiesdl41000000000.jpg Oakland Hills Addition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545417797565-K1X9XLTRPU9M198ZJZFO/ISa1fdkr1ivol41000000000.jpg Oakland Hills Addition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1545417800238-MM169HL9B6YSE1IRIUOB/ISuo2z1pmkfd941000000000.jpg Oakland Hills Addition Photography by Open Homes Photography, General Contractor Southface Construction Inc., Structural Engineer Komendant Engineering https://www.ghadesign.net/thumbnails daily 0.75 2020-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1578525882899-QDUSG6KPPFBQQE5SOWHD/13and14%2Bcopy.jpg thumbnails https://www.ghadesign.net/about daily 0.75 2025-12-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1579799426164-SVJFI4UZWBX2DHIV1HTQ/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200114122732906_COVER.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/a27b27cc-1b9d-4a60-bf2d-ea64ff1e942c/AlamedaCountyCAGBNlogo.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/16824da8-2ce2-454b-a678-e51df59d5444/usgbc.png About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c17f5bf8f51301c4d0673a1/1579037720677-XZ8QKA2AUK8TAVA3WV97/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200114122635554_COVER.jpg About https://www.ghadesign.net/contact daily 0.75 2025-12-10 https://www.ghadesign.net/recognition daily 0.75 2020-02-25 https://www.ghadesign.net/new-page daily 0.75 2025-12-10 https://www.ghadesign.net/headshots daily 0.75 2020-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5745eb6359827e6ebb73dcdc/1494353314594-P9TUGLHXRXZBVFIW1JEN/Stocksy_txp35169653TeS100_Large_645135_WEBSAFE.jpg Headshots https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5745eb6359827e6ebb73dcdc/1494353316349-D2KTEXSJ1EWXMC7WIWRG/Stocksy_txp35169653TeS100_Large_674784_WEBSAFE.jpg Headshots https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5745eb6359827e6ebb73dcdc/1494353314529-06OBAASVMGSKM0CAH25A/Stocksy_txp35169653TeS100_Large_639001_WEBSAFE.jpg Headshots https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5745eb6359827e6ebb73dcdc/1494353316308-J0RLIOTX4WAW329UUPW4/Stocksy_txp35169653TeS100_Large_654428_WEBSAFE.jpg Headshots https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5745eb6359827e6ebb73dcdc/1494353317762-VEEPWQJKNF3R1A0A3SJ8/Stocksy_txp35169653TeS100_Large_674803_WEBSAFE.jpg Headshots https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5745eb6359827e6ebb73dcdc/1494353317877-OVS5NCLODKSL3MLXYKEY/Stocksy_txp35169653TeS100_Large_674807_WEBSAFE.jpg Headshots