Regional Modern: San Francisco Opens to the View
In a city often defined by its history, San Francisco architects create modern designs that blend in while they stand out
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City.... More »
San Francisco is easily one of the most beautiful cities in the world, due to the combination of a hilly landscape, water on three sides and an impressive building stock. The "Painted Ladies," the old Victorian buildings that draw tourists to neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury, are probably the best-known examples of the city's architecture. Unfortunately for architects pushing the envelope with contemporary buildings, this historical fabric and its supporters make the city a notoriously difficult place to get things done.
But get done they do, from projects like the Federal Building by Morphosis and Stanley Saitowitz's Yerba Buena Lofts to the following houses scattered throughout the Bay Area. In general, we see architects dealing with this historical context as well as other urban considerations — noise, privacy, building codes — and the ever-present desire to get the best view possible. The following photos show how they've succeeded.
More regional modern architecture:
Chicago | Boston | Austin | NYC | NY Metro | Oregon | Seattle | No. Calif. | L.A. | Coastal L.A.
But get done they do, from projects like the Federal Building by Morphosis and Stanley Saitowitz's Yerba Buena Lofts to the following houses scattered throughout the Bay Area. In general, we see architects dealing with this historical context as well as other urban considerations — noise, privacy, building codes — and the ever-present desire to get the best view possible. The following photos show how they've succeeded.
More regional modern architecture:
Chicago | Boston | Austin | NYC | NY Metro | Oregon | Seattle | No. Calif. | L.A. | Coastal L.A.
Located near Buena Vista Park, this small house replaces one of similar size in a modern way. The wood slats on the ground floor ensure privacy, but the wraparound windows above provide plenty of light and views.
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| What looks like a new house inserted between its older neighbors actually dates back to the 1950s and is what the architects less-than-affectionately call a "contractor's special." Regardless, the simple stucco exterior with wood window frames is a nice way of treating the front facade. Still, the screen in the top right and bump above the parapet hints at something beyond ... |
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| A third-floor roof deck gives the owners a lovely retreat that is private, but still part of the city. The combination of stucco and wood is used throughout the project, but here the amount of glass is generous, allowing more openness and better views. |
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| From the street, this house dating back to 1937 — the same birth year as the nearby Golden Gate Bridge — looks basically the same as it did when it was built, save for some new windows, new paint, a new roof and a canopy. But a look around the back ... |
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| ... reveals a modern addition that more than doubles the existing house size. Lots of glass and even more outdoor space (on three levels: patio, balcony, roof terrace) maximize the views and use of the exterior. |
From the rooftop, this view of downtown San Francisco is stunning. Enough said.
On the other end of the spectrum — designs that present a modern face to the street — is this house and the following one by the same architect. The mix of materials breaks down the scale of the facades, while the terraces ensure that views can be enjoyed outdoors as well as from inside.
This exterior of this house, also by Maniscalco, is primarily wood. Using this material over modern forms gives a contextual nod to traditional neighbors. Again, terrace space is provided for enjoying the views outside.
Some architects vary their responses to historical context in degrees. One such architect is John Lum, who designed this house and the next two. A third-floor addition looks pared down, as it features the same stucco exterior as the floor below it. The second-story cornice appears to be a historical remnant that is mimicked but simplified in the addition.
The apparent mass of this two-unit corner building has been reduced by articulating its facade in two halves: the left side is solid and metal while the right side is more open with wood slats and large windows.
Another house by Lum breaks the fairly flat facade into three sections: a large stucco area that encompassing the garage door, the entrance with blue tile above it, and the butterfly roof with wood and glass below. In each example of Lum's designs, the scale is in keeping with the neighboring houses. The architect also articulates the facades to relate the modern designs to the older buildings as well.
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| This townhouse renovation on Buena Vista Terrace near Haight-Ashbury focuses its energy on the rear of the house. The kitchen-dining level was opened up towards the backyard: pushed out in the plan and literally opened via a wall of doors. |
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| The view from inside certainly makes it clear why the focus is on the back of the house. |
This house is thoroughly modern, but the front facade's mix of two scales — the fine grain of the wood slats and the larger size of the second-floor window — make it a welcome addition the neighborhood. From above...
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| ... we can see how the mass of the house rises at the rear, giving the building a small scale on the street side while giving the owners some valuable outdoor roof space. |
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| This house in Berkeley — across the bay from San Francisco — is primarily solid from the front. But at the back... |
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| ... the design includes walls of glass for capturing sun and views. Note the inclusion of a roof terrace. Even though there is a small backyard, this maximizes usable outdoor space and views. |
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| From Berkeley, we head back into San Francisco, specifically the South of Market Area (SOMA), which was especially popular before the dot-com bubble burst. Old buildings were saved and converted to residences, but none are as dramatic as this old warehouse with a rooftop addition. |
From the fairly straightforward loft spaces below, an elegant stair rises towards the light and the addition.
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| Atop the old warehouse is this sculptural addition, what the architects liken to a "grasshopper settled lightly on the building surface." By reaching skyward, the grasshopper addition provides access to the roof deck with views of the surrounding city. It's a pretty good summation of the ideas that are driving new houses in San Francisco. More regional modern architecture: Chicago | Boston | Austin | NYC | NY Metro | Oregon | Seattle | No. Calif.| L.A. | Coastal L.A. |
Comments
Dytecture Great use of space and light in tight urban settings.
20 months ago · Like
midmodfan Beautiful homes, unfortunately extremely expensive. :(
20 months ago · Like
Mark English Architects, AIA midmodfan- extremely expensive compared to what?
20 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Nov. 7, 2011.
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