Storage Sheds
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Architect for street-level storage shed
–Mar 8, 2022Hi BPN:
We have no street level storage and getting anything into our house requires going up many, many stairs. We're sick of schlepping our (very heavy) electric bike, trash cans, and strollers up the stairs and want to add street level storage.
We're looking to build a simple, good size shed/ garage like structure (we don't need car storage), with a roof, into the hillside, into the retaining wall, that is. It needs to be functional, aesthetic and feasible. We also see this an opportunity to upgrade our landscaping and replace the retaining walls, which have seen better days.
I would love recommendations for architects, landscape architects, or design/build firms to design and construct the shed/garage. We're not sure if this a project for a landscape architect or more in the wheelhouse of an architect or design/build firm.
Appreciate the advice! Thank you!
Mar 8, 2022Backyard shed
–Nov 10, 2019Hello, we would like to replace our dilapidated backyard shed with something that will actually protect the things we store there. We have no intention of ever using it as an in-law unit or similar, but we would like it to look nice, be insulated and have a lightbulb so it is easy find things. We are open to pre-fab or having one built, would love to hear others' experience on how they made the decision and if they are happy with it. Thanks.
Nov 10, 2019We built a shed with a deck off one corner in our yard last year under the requirements for appropriate shed size (under 120 Sq foot). We did not get it permitted because the code in Berkeley says if it is under that size and under 12 foot average height, you do not need to permit it. The shed was then painted with some windows and a large door. Now the city of Berkeley says we can't have a shed be "nonhabitable" if it has windows and a deck. They are considering it "habitable" because of this and want a building permit. There is nothing in the code that says this (if it has a deck or windows it is considered habitable) ANYWHERE. literally nothing. the shed is exactly that, something where our crap is stored, no one sleeps or stays in there, we do not rent it out, we do not spend time in it. But the city wants it permitted as a "habitable" structure because it looks nice and because there is a deck with windows. It is bogus. When we built it we asked all our adjacent neighbors if they were ok with it and everyone said yes.
The shed will not stand up to building code, it is not built to live in! It would have to be completely remodeled for tens of thousands of dollars if we wanted to do that. Has anyone else dealt with this? We are at a loss.
Dec 6, 2017
You need a licensed landscape architect for this, not a regular architect. We are doing a similar project where we're excavating out the lower part of our driveway, which is on a hill, and replacing two crumbling retaining walls. We initially consulted with the architect we had worked with on a house renovation a few years ago. He was not interested in earth-moving and excavation projects - he would have contracted it out to a landscape architect firm. We ended up going with Lazar Landscape https://lazarlandscape.com/. We worked with them in the past on a fence/walkway project that we are still very happy with. Lazar has a lot of experience with landscaping projects involving excavation and retaining walls. Their work is solid and professional. They do all the construction work in-house and they have wonderful designers.
Just be aware that when there is excavation involved, it's likely to be an expensive project. The planning and permitting process may be long. Your city may have setback requirements that prevent you from building anything close to the street, or at best you may have to apply for a special variance. You'll probably need to get a structural engineering firm involved for the retaining wall, and there may be many iterations on the design before the city will approve your plans. We live in Berkeley and it's taken nearly 2 years to get through all the permitting - multiple permits each with its own hefty fee, as well as neighbor review and appeal periods, specialized drawings and reports, cement testing, earthquake resilience, fire resistance, etc. etc. etc. Lazar has handled all this for us, thank goodness, and we are just about ready to break ground.
Hi Arielle,
This is a perfect fit for Studio M Merge! They combine landscape and residential architecture. We have been using them for our house/property and have LOVED their work, their attention to detail, and how brilliantly they took our desires and created a master plan that really works for us. I'd recommend at least doing a consultation with them. You can reach Andrea Sessa, the studio lead, at 510-698-4863 or asessa [at] studiommerge.com. Good luck!
The cheapest thing you can do is a Tuff Shed.