This 1906 cottage was one of many built on Bernal Hill to provide emergency housing for earthquake refugees. Its steeply sloping lot provided an opportunity to expand into the lower level. A new steel stair leads from the living room to the new master suite below. Windows along the stair offer glimpses of the cityscape beyond. At the garden level, the suite opens up to a newly landscaped back yard and deck.

This project won 1st Place from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for Best Interiors and a 2nd Place Award for Best Exterior.

Completed by BMF Construction. Structural Enginering: SEMCO. Photos: © Michael O'Callahan. Design Team: Phil Rossington, Jackie McKay.