Rangr Studio

House of Light

House of Light
© Matthew Millman
House of Light
© Joe Fletcher

House of Light

Rangr Studio

ENGINEERING
ZFA Structural Engineers

LANDSCAPE
Jasmit Rangr, Bryn Rowe

CLIENTS
Jasmit Rangr, Jasmit Rangr

MANUFACTURERS
AutoDesk, Hansgrohe, Bertazzoni, Grohe, Litecontrol, Marvin, Miele, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Corian, Diode LED, Dynamic Windows, Stucco, Thea, Trimble, WAC Lighting

DESIGN TEAM
Jasmit Rangr, Eivind Karlsen, Yvonne-demitra Konstantinidis

AREA
2850 ft²

YEAR
2018

LOCATION
Berkeley, United States

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

Located in the Berkeley Hills, on a steep incline facing panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, the design of this three-level house is guided by seismic constraints, topography, micro-climate, sun path, and the property’s protected oak trees.

House of Light
© Matthew Millman
House of Light
© Matthew Millman

To address the risks of earthquakes and landslides, the house is built on grade beams resting on concrete piles embedded in bedrock, avoiding the complexity and expense of excavation and retaining walls.

The design includes the first use of residential seismic damper frames which slow the response of the structure in a seismic event and allow it to withstand the maximum predicted earthquake with minimal damage.

House of Light
© Joe Fletcher
House of Light
© Matthew Millman

Throughout the house, small cantilevers extend space beyond the major structural ele-ments that are directly in-line with the foundations.

On the upper level, the most dra-matic of the cantilevers extends beyond the western facade, projecting visitors out into the view.

House of Light
© Matthew Millman
House of Light
© Joe Fletcher
House of Light
© Matthew Millman

Given a year-round temperate yet chilly climate, the home’s living area is glazed to the south and west, creating a space that maximizes solar heat gain.

Large sliding glass doors and high clerestory windows allow cooling breezes to regulate temperature, so the living area feels very much like an exterior covered porch.

The middle level remains cooler, and by opening a large glazed door on the lower level, the chimney effect brings more cool air to the upper level.

House of Light
© Matthew Millman
House of Light
© Matthew Millman
House of Light
© Matthew Millman

The house requires very little heating and no air-conditioning. Solar panels on the roof create more than enough electricity for the house and an electric car.

By weaving the design through the site’s constraints and riches, the design creates a warm home lit by golden light, profoundly connected to its landscape with a net-positive energy footprint.

House of Light
© Joe Fletcher


House of Light
© Matthew Millman
House of Light
© Joe Fletcher
House of Light
© Joe Fletcher
House of Light
© Matthew Millman
House of Light
© Matthew Millman


House of Light
Site plan
House of Light
Ground floor plan
House of Light
Middle floor plan
House of Light
Upper floor plan


House of Light
South elevation

Rangr Studio
T +1 212 7279911
Rangr Studio
1234 Grizzly Peak Blvd, Berkeley, CA 94708, United States