Budget Breakdown: Their Oakland Bungalow Ran Out of Bedrooms, So They Built a Basement Suite

"I wanted it to feel like you’re coming out of the earth," architect Sky Lanigan says of the $522K renovation. "You rise up into this really airy space."

Feb 11, 2026 - 19:17
Budget Breakdown: Their Oakland Bungalow Ran Out of Bedrooms, So They Built a Basement Suite

"I wanted it to feel like you’re coming out of the earth," architect Sky Lanigan says of the $522K renovation. "You rise up into this really airy space."

The pink island in Fireclay tile anchors the reimagined kitchen, where white oak cabinetry by Michael Grandy features integrated custom pulls. Cedar and Moss flush-mount fixtures replace generic can lights throughout the space.

When Erica Nagel got pregnant in 2020, she and her husband, Zachary Judkins faced a common Bay Area predicament: Their 1940s Oakland bungalow had charm but not enough room. Between Zac’s two teenagers from a previous marriage and a baby on the way, they needed more space in their three-bedroom home.

Sure, they had a basement, but it felt like a separate world, accessible only via a steep, enclosed staircase that required ducking to avoid hitting your head.

"We got contractors to come in and they were like, ‘That’s going to cost around $600,000,’" Erica recalls. "We were like, oh, that’s crazy—but we did the downstairs because we had to."

Before: Basement

BEFORE: An under-utilized basement floor.
BEFORE: The basement was functional, but barely.

After: Basement

Thick wood slats and thinner metal slats create a collaged guardrail system.

See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: Their Oakland Bungalow Ran Out of Bedrooms, So They Built a Basement Suite

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