SAN FRANCISCO

The owners purchased a small 1940’s-era hillside house with dramatic views of San Francisco Bay and the hills of Marin County. The existing house was boxy, had low ceilings and small rooms, and its original fixtures needed replacement. The owners challenged us to make their home as dramatic as its setting. They wanted more space for living and entertaining, upgraded fixtures and finishes, and a suitable environment in which to display their extensive collection of mid-century furnishings.

We understood the difficulties of dramatically adding to the house without compromising the existing hillside foundation system. They sensed that the solution would instead involve a series of modest changes which, taken together, would provide the desired effect. While the actual expansion of the existing building volume is relatively small, the feeling of the house has been transformed. Subtly raising the existing roof line over the dining area and lowering the existing floor of the master bedroom suite relieves the once oppressive ceiling heights. Removing the wall between the kitchen and the living/dining room opens up spaces which once seemed cramped. Spaces now flow together (and out to dramatic terraces) in a way that reinforces the sweeping views, and creates a greater sense of indoor-outdoor connection.

Other features of the home reflect the same “economy of means with dramatic results” approach. The owners’ wish list for their home included a small office. The Architects found space for this light-filled room within the existing volume, and tied it to the main living areas of the residence via a spiral staircase, which appears to “hover” over the hillside. The resulting is a refreshing separation between living and working spaces, and a unique commute experience. In the same fashion, the design of the Master Bath optimizes its setting. Subdued lighting, limestone finishes, Philippe Starck fixtures, and a dramatically-framed view give the user of the cantilevered tub or built-in sauna a luxurious and elegant feeling.

SIZE:
2,000 SF Existing
200 SF Addition

OWNER:
Thomas and Josephine Lennon

GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Cy Lo Builder

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:
GKO Associates

PLANS:
Ground Floor
Upper Floor

ELEVATIONS:
North Elevation & Section