by Schwartz and Architecture
San Francisco, CA, US 94107 · 184 photos
Schwartz and Architecture
http://www.schwartzandarchitecture.com

The inspiration for the remodel of this San Francisco Victorian came from an unlikely source – the owner’s modern-day cabinet of curiosities, brimming with jars filled with preserved aquatic body parts and specimens. This room now becomes the heart of the home, with glimpses into the collection a constant presence from every space. A partially translucent glass wall (derived from the genetic code of a Harbor Seal) and shelving system protects the collection and divides the owner’s study from the adjacent family room.

 
This photo has 2 questions
Audrey Hennefer wrote:
I'd like to know the source of the apothecary jars as well.... »
· Comment · 10 months ago
Schwartz and Architecture The owner is a collector and he gatherted them over the years.
Neal
7 months ago ·
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tskn wrote:
Where can I get this glass? »
· Comment · 12 months ago
jshilander Where does the glass wall come from? How is it installed? Thanks!
8 months ago ·
Schwartz and Architecture It is a custom glass pattern we developed for the client out of clear and translucent glass.
Neal
7 months ago ·
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What Houzz contributors are saying:
The reason I included this shot is not because I think you have a lot of jars full of shelves, but because of the way the room borrows light from the other room through the translucent wall.
3. Clear jars, doesn't matter what's in them. In this case, the display format is more important than the collection itself. I love the sheer number of the jars and the way they're backlit.
This one slays me.
added by Between Naps on the Porch to Collections: Display That Which You Love...
Now here's a unique collection that's bound to be a conversation topic when friends and family come to visit. The description states it's "the owner’s modern-day cabinet of curiosities, brimming with jars filled with preserved aquatic body parts and specimens." Fascinating! As you can see, virtually any collection can be used as an interesting display in your home. What captures your heart? What do you collect and display in your home?
added by Becky Harris to Collecting Without Cluttering
Grouping a variety of items in similar containers is another way to keep things looking orderly...
Framing collected items doesn't necessarily mean putting them into a picture frame. By placing these items in clear glass bottles, the designer highlights each individual item and emphasizes the items' theme.
Principal architect Neil Schwartz custom built this shelving unit for the aquatic pieces of his client, a curator for the Steinhart Aquarium at San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences. Schwartz turned what used to be a room filled with breakable curios and jars into the heart of the house. He built the glass wall and shelving unit to display his client's collection in style. "Now my client's kids could go into the room without breaking anything. And the office allows my client to see what's going on in the adjacent media room so that the family always feels connected to each other somehow," says Schwartz.
added by Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. to 11 Spaces That Aced High School
Biology. Remember that kid in biology so in command of the subject that the teacher asked him to teach part of the class? I think we found him. This specimen collection is brilliantly displayed with custom shelves and apothecary jars. The frosted glass pattern is a genetic code.
added by Samantha Schoech to Goth Glamour for Halloween and Beyond
This wall of specimens floating in jars has a menacing beauty to it. If you are not quite ready to go full-on Dr. Jekyll, you could achieve a similar but less shiver-inducing effect by filling the jars with leaves, acorns, stones and other nonanimal items.
What Houzzers are commenting on:
added by courtney_g to other rooms (7 days ago)
shelves
added by weiyingduan to Creative Ideas (2 weeks ago)
Apothecary style
added by madnoodle to Kitchen (7 weeks ago)
see thru
added by naydals423 to naydals423's ideas (8 weeks ago)
Bar
added by beverlywebb1 to bwebb home design ideas (8 weeks ago)
Nice office Display wall
added by kolleenkirk to kolleenkirk's Ideas (2 months ago)
Office lab
added by craigbushnell to craigbushnell's Ideas (2 months ago)
Lab/office
added by deborahbga to Organizing/Storage (3 months ago)
breakfast bar workspace & see thru shelves
added by reyh94530 to Office (3 months ago)
specimen display
added by chireen to chireen's Ideas (3 months ago)
Backlit wall
added by kellyfreese to kellyfreese's Ideas (3 months ago)
Shelving
added by cherger to Dining Room (3 months ago)
frosted glass
added by ccooper7 to ccooper7's Ideas (4 months ago)
Tyler's office
added by Designs By Peggy to bars (4 months ago)
shelving
added by jeanjeanne to jeanjeanne's Ideas (4 months ago)
Curiosities
added by tinawebb to Windows, doors and trims (4 months ago)
Glass wall inside
added by robmarchesini to robmarchesini's Ideas (4 months ago)
Office prateleira 01
added by sidelinegoddess to new ideas for cana (4 months ago)
Shelves like this but with large black iron brackets
added by rpeeples to rpeeples's Ideas (4 months ago)
glass containers
added by Timothy Holmberg to Office (4 months ago)
Shelves for days!
added by ameierot to Dining Room / Bar / 'Den'? (4 months ago)
Bar
added by Sara Fugulin to office (4 months ago)
my dream office space!
added by lmls to home office in diningroom (4 months ago)
Display best collectibles
added by galoizu to galoizu's Ideas (5 months ago)
science
added by kerent to living room (5 months ago)
Rock collection?
added by Andrew Buchheit to home office (5 months ago)
shelving
added by ninspups to bars (5 months ago)
Bar
added by dschulte1965 to Interior Decor and Lighting (5 months ago)
Apothecary jars
added by lradheshwar to lradheshwar's Ideas (5 months ago)
Hanging shelves. Could do with glass in kitchen for wine glasses
added by ankaatje79 to ankaatje79's ideas (6 months ago)
shelving
added by Paola Marchese to paola_marchese's Ideas (6 months ago)
The samples on the shelves....my dream!
added by remodelation to desk area (6 months ago)
bookshelf on one side, at bottom
added by slots1 to slots1's Ideas (6 months ago)
Office
added by moggioa to home office (6 months ago)
frosted glass partition allowing light and privacy, shelf
added by 71851 to Jimmys bedrom (7 months ago)
backlit shelves
added by xl759 to xl759's Ideas (7 months ago)
Specimen display, shelves
added by 8083 to 8083's ideas (7 months ago)
office design
added by dgcook to dgcook's ideas (7 months ago)
I love it !
added by jefa_ to jefa_'s ideas (7 months ago)
Книжные полки
added by randi6 to Interior (7 months ago)
glass wall
added by mdona to mdona's ideas (7 months ago)
shelves
added by joannieking to joannieking's ideas (7 months ago)
wet bar
added by Raina Thelen to Gothic (7 months ago)
Lab/studio
added by bgreer01 to bgreer01's ideas (7 months ago)
Where to get the glass wall in the background?
added by ani8a to ani8a's ideas (7 months ago)
cool workstation - you can fill the jars with anything: pencils, pens, ribbon, buttons, thread, paper, stones, etc...
added by andrewbourne to andrewbourne's ideas (7 months ago)
This wall of specimens floating in jars has a menacing beauty to it. If you are not quite ready to go full-on Dr. Jekyll, you could achieve a similar but less shiver-inducing effect by filling the jars with leaves, acorns, stones and other nonanimal items.
added by christyward to home office (7 months ago)
I LOVE THIS! Clean, open lines. Not claustrophobic. Plenty of space on the desk top. I would want some doors on the bottom or something to hide ugly office reality things. But seems like those shelves could cross a window and still let light in. Amazing.
added by Chris Moody to New House (7 months ago)
Take out the specimens and add more books and this is awesome.
added by bkreese to bkreese's ideas (7 months ago)
Shelves for models?
added by kucha014 to kucha014's ideas (7 months ago)
Display jars filled with cool things
added by water711 to water711's ideas (7 months ago)
black shelving
added by romodi to romodi's ideas (7 months ago)
shelving
added by hollybinafard to hollybinafard (7 months ago)
white glass for the back of the bar with lights.
added by hamptonclassic13 to hamptonclassic13's ideas (7 months ago)
shelving
added by july713 to july713's ideas (7 months ago)
Contrast
added by cpreyer to Contemplation (7 months ago)
Wunderkammern
added by dawnrr to dawnrr's ideas (7 months ago)
shelving
added by sipra to sipra's ideas (7 months ago)
The shelves
added by rmsin to home office (7 months ago)
Toys!
added by kareninseattle to office (7 months ago)
Translucent wall
added by Cass Martinez to cass_martinez's ideas (7 months ago)
For Armando's oddities
added by Diana Shafer to Office Spaces (7 months ago)
Intriguing space
added by jennwong to loft (7 months ago)
continuous desks + built in bookshelves
added by bijunath to bijunath's ideas (7 months ago)
Can be side part of dinning
added by Elina Pavlidou to elina_pavlidou's ideas (7 months ago)
για επενδυση πανω απ το καλοριφερ
added by stephhhh1010 to House (7 months ago)
jars
added by Nicole Lyons to nickicl's Favorites (7 months ago)
Shelves and jars
added by ktsang to ktsang's Ideas (7 months ago)
display case
added by afilloon to Kitchen remodel (7 months ago)
Shelves across north windows, uppers, replaced with frosted glass... ?
added by plutodrive to general (7 months ago)
creepy cool
added by Ben Carmean to sarahartig's Favorites (7 months ago)
Shelves, desk
added by mmacedonio to mmacedonio's office ideas (8 months ago)
Glass wall
added by cescy02 to travis office (8 months ago)
genetic code, apothecary jars
added by markcr to markcr's Ideas (8 months ago)
Awesome scientist theme
added by fyords to fyords's Ideas (8 months ago)
Arrangement I can inside a closet .
added by mnewhoff to mnewhoff's ideas (8 months ago)
awesome
added by suzyg72 to display & storage (8 months ago)
displaying glass
added by stellaearth to stellaearth's ideas (8 months ago)
glasses filled with herbs, animal bones
added by jamcleod to jamcleod's ideas (8 months ago)
campbell
added by katrene to katrene's Favorites (8 months ago)
metal bars on the shelving
added by Your Space Ltd to Office ideas (8 months ago)
Love the use of a translucent wall
added by karthikeyanp to karthikeyanp's ideas (8 months ago)
boilogy student
added by labutterfly to labutterfly's Favorites (8 months ago)
The floating shelves with jars and specimens. Scholarly idea for home office
added by rar1978 to rar1978's ideas (8 months ago)
Biology. Remember that kid in biology so in command of the subject that the teacher asked him to teach part of the class? I think we found him. This specimen collection is brilliantly displayed with custom shelves and apothecary jars. The frosted glass pattern is a genetic code.
added by cabookaroosmom to cabookaroosmom's Favorites (8 months ago)
desk and bookshelves
added by jshilander to Attic (8 months ago)
glass partition wall
added by ldelsecco to ldelsecco's ideas (8 months ago)
apothecary jars/shelves
added by davidangee to davidangee's Ideas (8 months ago)
Tarros
added by jessica gluck to Cooper's Room (8 months ago)
Biology. Remember that kid in biology so in command of the subject that the teacher asked him to teach part of the class? I think we found him. This specimen collection is brilliantly displayed with custom shelves and apothecary jars. The frosted glass pattern is a genetic code.
added by spojr to spojr's Favorites (8 months ago)
quarto
added by belindavh to belindavh's Favorites (8 months ago)
Estantes
added by lithoqueen2003 to lithoqueen2003's ideas (8 months ago)
Interesting objects in jars provide inspiration and information while creating a unified whole.
added by lindawm to kitchen (8 months ago)
open shelving
added by cannedrabbit to cannedrabbit's ideas (8 months ago)
Love the light coming through the opaque glass wall. Really highlights the collection!
added by lisazj to lisazj's ideas (9 months ago)
Frosted glass wall for office
added by cheezy to house (9 months ago)
curios
added by jwilsonok to jwilsonok's ideas (9 months ago)
Rock storage ideas?
added by Roisin Jeffrey to Roisin's ideas (10 months ago)
curios
added by dpgs to dpgs office (10 months ago)
love the frosted glass window fronted by display shelves
added by slydell to slydell's ideas (10 months ago)
Living room nook
added by indrajit to indrajit's ideas (10 months ago)
Display wall
added by leewright76 to leewright76's Favorites (10 months ago)
light wall
added by amypfaffman to decor (10 months ago)
glass jars on shelves
added by Gilliland Gardens and Interiors to mleeg's ideas (10 months ago)
organization, space, light
added by imeldamoss to Ideas (10 months ago)
sleek storage 2.1 - collectible curios
added by frickki444 to home office ideas (10 months ago)
for my husband the scientist
added by economides53 to Display (10 months ago)
Shelving
added by petaveller to petaveller's ideas (10 months ago)
glass backed shelves
added by Treescape Ventures, LLC to Organization (10 months ago)
Display area for collections
added by nickgarciamd to nickgarciamd's Ideas (10 months ago)
Sciencey biology office
added by Vanessa Newhook to vanessa_newhook's ideas (10 months ago)
Proportion
added by Charlene Shaw to charlene_shaw's ideas (10 months ago)
shelving
added by wrxkathy to interesting - show Mike (10 months ago)
storage/display
added by noz to Pieces and Accents (10 months ago)
Ocean taxidermy
added by heatherhansen to Ridge Trail (10 months ago)
Storage of collection - idea for Charlie
added by judycalise to Judy's idea book (10 months ago)
Lighting and bookcases below desk
added by rllangner to mom (10 months ago)
glass?
added by Janice lisbonne design to janicelisbonne's ideas (10 months ago)
Wonderful display of collection/objects
added by Eye of the Storm Ministries, Inc. to cinderellareleased's ideas (10 months ago)
Great idea for shells!
added by David Hollis to Collecting (10 months ago)
An ingenious way to display a collection.
added by khutch to khutch's ideas (10 months ago)
Love the desk space
added by ldelayen to ldelayen's ideas (10 months ago)
Great way to corral a collection so that it looks intentional rather than chaotic.
added by roboandie to roboandie's Favorites (11 months ago)
Collection display
added by montyj to montyj's ideas (11 months ago)
Kitchen splash back idea dark cabinets
added by lazy53 to lazy53's ideas (11 months ago)
collection space
added by taniasng to taniasng's study/creative (11 months ago)
a translucent wall where light comes from behind. jars of items on display
added by tskn to interior perspectives (12 months ago)
Where can I get this glass?
added by ienochs to ienochs's Favorites (12 months ago)
Awesome
added by karinnovick to karinnovick's Favorites (13 months ago)
Ted office
added by geometra to geometra's ideas (13 months ago)
Shelves
added by vcasey to vcasey's Favorites (14 months ago)
Wow
added by auntbex to Den (14 months ago)
Dark accents
added by loriely2000 to living room (15 months ago)
The inspiration for the remodel of this San Francisco Victorian came from an unlikely source the owners modern-day cabinet of curiosities, brimming with jars filled with preserved aquatic body parts and specimens. This room now becomes the heart of the home, with glimpses into the collection a constant presence from every space. A partially translucent glass wall (derived from the genetic code of a Harbor Seal) and shelving system protects the collection and divides the owners study from the...
added by Heather Anthony to office (15 months ago)
books on bottom
added by ardiygrl to Office ideas (15 months ago)
Translucent wall
added by vatren to vatren's Favorites (15 months ago)
For office
added by tmalone to tmalone's ideas (15 months ago)
light coming from other room
added by finebird to finebird's ideas (15 months ago)
Bookcase - interesting use of glass
added by Jeremy Lommori to Office (15 months ago)
Translucent wall
added by tawafish to tawafish's Favorites (16 months ago)
Glass bookcase
added by joey13 to joey13's ideas (16 months ago)
collections in glass bottles
added by qugene to qugene's Favorites (16 months ago)
Hall partition
added by Quỳnh Kha to kristykha's Favorites (16 months ago)
Translucent wall
added by catevall to catevall's ideas (17 months ago)
Bottles: a unique way of showing off a collection.
added by bossip to bossip's Favorites (17 months ago)
Office shelves below desk
added by serenjen to office (17 months ago)
Chair
added by Villaruz Luis to patvillaruz's ideas (18 months ago)
shelves
added by neverending to neverending's ideas (18 months ago)
"A partially translucent glass wall (derived from the genetic code of a Harbor Seal) and shelving system protects the collection and divides the owner’s study from the adjacent family room."
added by braynpayn to Library (18 months ago)
Glass specimen jars
added by valmed to valmed's ideas (18 months ago)
bar
added by shezaz to shezaz's ideas (18 months ago)
Love the shelves- maybe for the bar?
added by wtrebasky to wtrebasky's Favorites (19 months ago)
Full wall
added by cahuilla to cahuilla's Favorites (20 months ago)
Love specimen jars
added by cubo to BOX's ideas (20 months ago)
frascos
added by jordann111 to jordann111's Favorites (21 months ago)
Shelved jars, office setup.
added by sandeelotus to Organize! (21 months ago)
Wow. And I though I had a problem.
added by sis1955 to sis1955's Favorites (21 months ago)
Shelving
added by thanh to thanh's Favorites (21 months ago)
Back lighting
added by zetacool to productoraXXX (21 months ago)
Se puede usar una pared retro iluminada para uno de los cuartos sin ventanas? Mmmmm.... Leds? Difusor?
added by siltrain to siltrain's Favorites (21 months ago)
Idea studio
added by bridgetbart to apt ideas (22 months ago)
Office
added by dancingmice to dancingmice's Favorites (22 months ago)
Shelving
added by chelsea1 to chelsea1's ideas (22 months ago)
desk
added by gmartinezch to gmartinezch's Favorites (22 months ago)
Wall design
added by maggiewaltemathdesign to Chicago Office Space (22 months ago)
storage
added by liquo to liquo's Favorites (23 months ago)
食物研究
added by taviaforbes to taviaforbes's Favorites (23 months ago)
Collection
added by Caroline Bedard to Déco (23 months ago)
Now here's a unique collection that's bound to be a conversation topic when friends and family come to visit. The description states it's "the owner’s modern-day cabinet of curiosities, brimming with jars filled with preserved aquatic body parts and specimens." Fascinating! As you can see, virtually any collection can be used as an interesting display in your home. What captures your heart? What do you collect and display in your home?
added by galerienpg to home office (23 months ago)
awesome
added by liv4evr to liv4evr's ideas (23 months ago)
glass bottles for displaying items, with downlights
added by sarahgail to sarahgail's ideas (24 months ago)
the shelves and desk.
added by bruce1 to bruce1's Favorites (24 months ago)
Home office
added by misssuez to living room (2 years ago)
shelving
added by wolfmanor to Office Ideas (2 years ago)
Awesome
added by moniques to moniques's Favorites (2 years ago)
Cloche de verre
added by fitchadelic to fitchadelic's ideas (2 years ago)
display items in clear glass bottles
added by Carol Montoto to office (2 years ago)
Collection on shelves over desk
added by Marcelena Melton to One Fabulous thing (2 years ago)
Bottles and jars as "frames"
added by jnimmo to Miscellaneous (2 years ago)
Suspended shelves?
added by biljana to Details (2 years ago)
moja staklena vitrina :))
added by wkear to wkear's ideas (2 years ago)
good idea
added by mspaydar to mspaydar's ideas (2 years ago)
back-lit display wall
added by kkmckinnon59 to kkmckinnon59's Favorites (2 years ago)
Hmmm coke collection?
added by mhorlacher to Martina's Accessories (2 years ago)
Displays
added by mangu bhargavi to bargavi's ideas (2 years ago)
Framing collected items doesn't necessarily mean putting them into a picture frame. By placing these items in clear glass bottles, the designer highlights each individual item and emphasizes the items' theme.
added by dcwa to dcwa's Favorites (2 years ago)
Wall length desk w/ bookshelves on ends
added by yaseminasal to yaseminasal's Favorites (2 years ago)
Shelves
added by dinpon to dinpon's Favorites (2 years ago)
Jarsss for baza toys
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