The challenge was to construct a new infill residential structure containing five units as complement to a protected structure that functioned as the first gas station in San Francisco.
project photography by Christopher Stark
Our architecture office follows a philosophy of “keeping it simple” and was the fitting choice to reincarnate one of Noe Valley’s coveted, but neglected 1940’s homes overlooking the city skyline into a modern family pad.
“Our client needed the small home to be transformed into a family-friendly house that felt bigger than it actually is”. On the interior, the central living space and kitchen area connects out to a deck area and rear yard below. Also tucked into the kitchen and against the stairs, are shelves and niches to display the owner’s collection of artifacts from his travels.
“The original home had the potential to have these incredible views of the downtown skyline, the Bay Bridge and the East Bay, but the down-sloping lot allowed making them visible a challenge”. From the front, the house appears reserved and unobtrusive, and from the back, large windows take advantage of the views.
“We ended up layering the scale and volume from the street and as you move through to the rear of the house, it feels as if it is perched over all of San Francisco’s downtown skyline. There were many limitations, or at least they seemed like limitations from the outside; but, they ended up becoming an impetus for creating the architecture that slowly became the house.”
Valley residence with new third floor addition
Forrest Edge Residence
View into the family room
The renovation of this existing 1930’s home consisted of renovating the kitchen and bath areas, while making minor adjustments to the throughout to bring the house into the present. Existing detail and materials were respected and restored. The new kitchen counters replicated the previous stainless steel counter tops that had reached the end of their use. Ceramic tile was selected to fit the original feel of this arts and craft style home to create a seamless blend of original and new spaces. Steel sash terrace doors were added for garden access from the dining room, while the existing window openings were maintained elsewhere.
This project consisted of the renovation of three flats with similar layouts. The existing Victorian detailing was maintained throughout. The kitchen areas were opened to function as a living/dining/kitchen space. A second bath was created in each unit. The top floor flat was expanded into the existing attic area and the space enlarged with the addition of four dormers that open to light and view. A small rooftop deck was also inserted adjacent to one of the dormers.
