Dr. Arthur F. Kip Residence

On a steep hillside, Olsen devised a split-level scheme that would make the 1,500 square foot lot seem grander. The home is accessed from a narrow path up the hillside that leads right into the kitchen and dining area with high ceilings and a top floor where the living room and study are located. Using the existing topography, Olsen maximized the owners’ view of the San Francisco Bay from the top floor. The bedrooms are situated just a few steps below the entry-level to allow for ample privacy. The Kip residence serves as the first of three homes that Olsen built in this quiet hillside neighborhood in the Berkeley Hills.