Berkeley: A Fish Out of Water

In London most houses come all in a row. Built in a frenzy of development at the height of the Industrial Revolution, the lion’s share of London housing stock is made up of street upon street of terraced Victorians (above left). In some areas older, Georgian houses (above right) dominate. They too are invariably much of a muchness and built in rows.

So one aspect of Berkeley’s property market that I love is its architectural variety. Ranches, Mediterraneans, bungalows, Craftsmen, mid-century modern… it’s all a wonderful mix and houses are rarely the same.

And then there’s the “fish” house which is without a doubt one of a kind. Designed by architect Eugene Tsui for his parents, it is in fact not a fish but a Tardigrade, or water bear, and is reputedly one of the world’s safest houses due to its durable design and solid foundations. It is so strange and exotic that we make sure all visitors from out of town get to see it.

Photo credit: Michael L

It sits there in a quiet residential neighborhood — at 2747 Matthews Street in the south of the city (how they got planning permission is anyone’s guess) — looking both beautiful and outrageous at the same time.

Totally Berkeley.