Devi Dutta Architecture

06/16/2026

I'm excited to share photos of phase 1 of a 3-phase project for the Berkeley Fire Department. This important project brings together operations and training at a consolidated site in West Berkeley. Phase 1 recently opened and will house administrative offices and an emergency operations center.

You won't see much happening from the street because we are re-purposing existing warehouses and office spaces. It will be easier to access, with new ramps and lighting, but we are saving existing structures through adaptive re-use.

I have to say the best part of working on this project was the people. The fire department is amazing, the contractor was a true partner, and the design team made it all happen.

Next up in phase 2 and 3 are a training center and temporary ambulance deployment station.

04/29/2026

We completely renovated this formerly wee home in Berkeley and created a large 2-story addition to the back. But one of the most impactful changes was to the front entry. Swipe right to see the before pic, where you would just walk right into a living room off the street. No grace, nowhere to hang your coat, no moment to catch your breath. This very small design move to provide an enclosed foyer complete with storage and shelving alters the way you enter a home.

We kept the lemon tree!

01/10/2026

Some projects are designed to look like they never happened at all. This Spanish home (formerly the home of Robert Oppenheimer) tucked away on a dead end street has had some work* done. Can you guess what it was without scrolling through my other posts?

These seminal homes were just built different. The spaces are interconnected without being too open. The ins and outs create nooks and comfortable scaled spaces. It's a lot harder to build this way now. It was a joy to work on this one.
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* It's a garage conversion - visible from the street, new custom wood doors with inset awning windows echo the original style of the home. Custom interior millwork is seamless with the original interiors as well.

12/25/2025

12/22/2025

On this rainiest day in the bay, I'm thinking of this project, meant for better weather! We added an outdoor hottub, shower, and deck to this beautiful home. Before this project, you had to go downstairs through a basement to get to the backyard. Now every room has direct access to sunsets and relaxation.

photography

12/17/2025

This project has been a labor of love for the owner/engineer/builders. Slowly and methodically, they've built a home that echoes elements from mid-century modern design coupled with modern infrastructure. Linoleum floors, wood ceilings, and clerestory windows complement highly efficient heating and ventilation systems and modern tech. And a climbing wall!

It's not done yet, but I had to share some progress photos!

photography

04/22/2025

Join us at the annual home tours and see how we implemented the city's ADU ordinance to create a beautiful, livable home. Not your typical granny flat when is your client and builder!

11/14/2024

We had a rare opportunity to renovate a gorgeous historic property in Kensington, CA. Custom wood carriage doors with inset awnings, built-in millwork, and historic hardware bring this little project together. It's also the former home of Robert Oppenheimer.

10/17/2024

Getting a hot tub approved in Berkeley is no small feat! We had to talk to every neighbor for approval, spent months providing additional documentation about the decibel level of pumps, sound attenuation over distances, visual screening, planting, etc. Mind you, a pool doesn't require any of this. Those hot tub parties in the 70s must have been WILD to incur this level of scrutiny.

But a couple of years later, it's finally coming together. Sea Ranch vibes.

10/11/2024

So many beautiful details coming together on this whole house renovation.