Kalmbach Residence
In San Francisco's Marina district this renovation and addition transforms a 100-year old duplex into a contemporary home filled with light and layered with a rich palette of materials. Over the years a series of sheds had been added onto the rear of a simple, pure form to create a disparate array of jumbled forms. The original building, which had been poorly maintained, consisted of two rental apartments. The goal was to remodel the building into a contemporary, single family home with modern amenities, more space and a garage.
From the street the new house maintains its original scale with its neighbors. The new yellow stucco facade, gray concrete garden wall and wood garage door and fence are respectful of the setting yet add a little sparkle to the street. The entry is through an intimate garden at the front, continuing along the east side to the centrally located front door with a galvanized steel awing. The dining opens onto this sunny side garden and the living room spills onto a sunny wood deck and garden at the rear. Mature vegetation shields a new hot tub, completing the feeling that this city home, tightly surrounded by dense living, is a garden oasis, full of light and views.
Inside the house high ceilings, carefully placed windows and skylights create a sculptured space that is rich with strong materials. Bamboo flooring, steel cable railings and a zinc fireplace surround give a contemporary, industrial look. The kitchen, with hand packed gray concrete counters and stainless steel appliances, opens directly to the living and dining spaces. The family/studio above overlooks the living room below and has a gabled ceiling recaptured from the former attic space. The master bedroom at the third floor is a private retreat where the soft vault of the ceiling frames views to the Golden Gate and the surrounding neighborhood. Old industrial fixtures and hardware are mixed with new throughout. Skylights and large windows provide natural light at every turn. Maple cabinetry, antique tables, classic furniture and an eclectic collection of art and objects represent the owner’s tastes, comfortable in this contemporary ‘city’ home.
From the street the new house maintains its original scale with its neighbors. The new yellow stucco facade, gray concrete garden wall and wood garage door and fence are respectful of the setting yet add a little sparkle to the street. The entry is through an intimate garden at the front, continuing along the east side to the centrally located front door with a galvanized steel awing. The dining opens onto this sunny side garden and the living room spills onto a sunny wood deck and garden at the rear. Mature vegetation shields a new hot tub, completing the feeling that this city home, tightly surrounded by dense living, is a garden oasis, full of light and views.
Inside the house high ceilings, carefully placed windows and skylights create a sculptured space that is rich with strong materials. Bamboo flooring, steel cable railings and a zinc fireplace surround give a contemporary, industrial look. The kitchen, with hand packed gray concrete counters and stainless steel appliances, opens directly to the living and dining spaces. The family/studio above overlooks the living room below and has a gabled ceiling recaptured from the former attic space. The master bedroom at the third floor is a private retreat where the soft vault of the ceiling frames views to the Golden Gate and the surrounding neighborhood. Old industrial fixtures and hardware are mixed with new throughout. Skylights and large windows provide natural light at every turn. Maple cabinetry, antique tables, classic furniture and an eclectic collection of art and objects represent the owner’s tastes, comfortable in this contemporary ‘city’ home.
Country: United States
