A niche created by the need to maintain a small shear wall became a semi-private space off the Entry and Living Room for reading or conversation during an event at the residence. The Jaurez Michado mural, along with other art on the main floor tell a story of love won and love lost, asking the question "Is it better to have loved and lost, or not to have loved at all?" With this notion, the design team and client began referring to the niche as the "Love Shack". The custom pillows and seating was designed and built by West Highland Design. At the ceiling a carved pine floral grill disguises the main floor return air duct.

This custom new construction home is a full ground-up build, designed to merge modern architectural features with subtle mid-century references for a timeless yet family-friendly home. Built for a young family, the design achieves the perfect balance of style, comfort, and luxury detail. Exterior & Architecture The home features a clean modern profile with dove gray smooth stucco, black frame Milgard Tuscany windows, and a standing seam metal roof with multiple monopitched overhangs that create striking rooflines. First Floor The interior layout flows with an open concept kitchen and living room, complemented by a home office/bedroom and guest spaces. The kitchen is the heart of the home, designed with custom oak Euro-style flat door cabinetry, Dekton Marmorio stone countertops and backsplash, and a waterfall island centerpiece. A custom limestone plaster hood cover provides a sculptural focal point. The space is elevated with Bosch appliances and statement lighting choices that bring warmth and character. Second Floor The upper level includes bedrooms for the children, each with private bathrooms styled with wallpaper and playful lighting. The laundry room was designed for functionality, featuring two-tone cabinetry, quartzite countertops, and rounded subway tile backsplash. Primary Suite The primary bedroom features a white oak paneling statement wall set on a dark backdrop with pendant lighting. The suite includes a spacious walk-in closet and a luxurious bathroom with a freestanding tub, curbless shower with custom quartzite shelving, a smart toilet nook, and a custom oak vanity with stone-fabricated sinks. 48x48 ceramic tiles with precise mitered edges complete the spa-like atmosphere. General Highlights Throughout the home, thoughtful modern elements tie everything together: SPC natural oak-look plank flooring, custom black iron railings, trimless kerfed doors, 9’ ceilings, recessed lighting, dual HVAC systems, and an interior fire sprinkler system. This new construction showcases what’s possible when combining modern architecture, warm custom details, and functional family living into one cohesive home.

This residence was a complete gut renovation of a 4-story row house in Park Slope, and included a new rear extension and penthouse addition. The owners wished to create a warm, family home using a modern language that would act as a clean canvas to feature rich textiles and items from their world travels. As with most Brooklyn row houses, the existing house suffered from a lack of natural light and connection to exterior spaces, an issue that Principal Brendan Coburn is acutely aware of from his experience re-imagining historic structures in the New York area. The resulting architecture is designed around moments featuring natural light and views to the exterior, of both the private garden and the sky, throughout the house, and a stripped-down language of detailing and finishes allows for the concept of the modern-natural to shine. Upon entering the home, the kitchen and dining space draw you in with views beyond through the large glazed opening at the rear of the house. An extension was built to allow for a large sunken living room that provides a family gathering space connected to the kitchen and dining room, but remains distinctly separate, with a strong visual connection to the rear garden. The open sculptural stair tower was designed to function like that of a traditional row house stair, but with a smaller footprint. By extending it up past the original roof level into the new penthouse, the stair becomes an atmospheric shaft for the spaces surrounding the core. All types of weather – sunshine, rain, lightning, can be sensed throughout the home through this unifying vertical environment. The stair space also strives to foster family communication, making open living spaces visible between floors. At the upper-most level, a free-form bench sits suspended over the stair, just by the new roof deck, which provides at-ease entertaining. Oak was used throughout the home as a unifying material element. As one travels upwards within the house, the oak finishes are bleached to further degrees as a nod to how light enters the home. The owners worked with CWB to add their own personality to the project. The meter of a white oak and blackened steel stair screen was designed by the family to read “I love you” in Morse Code, and tile was selected throughout to reference places that hold special significance to the family. To support the owners’ comfort, the architectural design engages passive house technologies to reduce energy use, while increasing air quality within the home – a strategy which aims to respect the environment while providing a refuge from the harsh elements of urban living. This project was published by Wendy Goodman as her Space of the Week, part of New York Magazine’s Design Hunting on The Cut. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt

Located six feet from the sand, this residence seeks to reframe the contextual reference of its inhabitants in order to mitigate its highly trafficked location and create a private beach retreat. In parallel to its unobstructed ocean view, the design carves out infinite pockets of nature within the architecture. From the dining room’s bamboo garden to the expansive skylight above the stairwell, moments of serenity have been carefully composed throughout the home in order to make each frame as infinite as the horizon line of the Pacific Ocean.

The homeowner for this project is a successful real estate agent and therefore often refers Bilotta to her clients, both individual homeowners as well as builders designing all new homes. In one such spec house she fell in love with the Bilotta Kitchen and decided she wanted the exact space in her own home. She hired Bilotta senior designer, Linda Daniele (who happened to have done the kitchen for the spec house), to make it happen. She and her husband wanted to mimic the exact space from the overall layout to the smallest detail. The kitchen features Bilotta private label cabinetry, the Bilotta Collection, in a shaker-style door in Benjamin Moore’s classic “White Dove”. The sink wall features a large window above the undermount sink to add natural light into the kitchen and a large 42” paneled Subzero refrigerator and paneled Bosch dishwasher. On the opposite wall, the center wall cabinet has antique French mirrored glass inserts on the three doors; this cabinet is flanked by beveled glass fronted cabinets helping the U-shape kitchen feel more open and airy while displaying the homeowner’s glassware. A small bar sink is below and features a Subzero undercabinet wine unit, beverage center, and a Fisher Paykel dishwasher drawer below. The island, that can seat up to four, houses an undercabinet Wolf microwave and an extra oven. The range is Wolf with a matching stainless hood above. The countertops throughout are Super white quartzite 1 ½” thick on the perimeter and 2 ½” thick on the island, while the backsplash is a herringbone marble. The flooring is wood and flows beyond the kitchen into the adjacent rooms on the first floor for a cohesive look.

Beautiful Master Bath, with dark cabinets contrasting the beige granite. Sophisticated Elegance describes this Custom Carmel Style Estate Style Home. Solid Alder wood doors, brilliant wide plank walnut hardwood floors, lots of windows with remote control blinds. This luxurious home has been thoughtfully designed by Chris Spalding for everyday family comforts or grand entertaining. Grand iron door entry, opens to a spacious floor plan. The interior spans 3,016 sq. ft. of living space and features four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. Chef's kitchen, designed for a gourmet cook with fine cabinetry with soft closing drawers, Taj Mahal granite counters and decorative tile backsplash, Thermador appliances, including 48" 6-burner stove top, built in double oven, refrigerator and microwave. Large center island with sink and breakfast bar plus a walk in pantry, impressive great room with fireplace. Private backyard, professionally landscaped. Feng Shui'ed by Feng Shui Style, and designed by Jennifer A. Emmer and Stacy Carlson

This custom new construction home is a full ground-up build, designed to merge modern architectural features with subtle mid-century references for a timeless yet family-friendly home. Built for a young family, the design achieves the perfect balance of style, comfort, and luxury detail. Exterior & Architecture The home features a clean modern profile with dove gray smooth stucco, black frame Milgard Tuscany windows, and a standing seam metal roof with multiple monopitched overhangs that create striking rooflines. First Floor The interior layout flows with an open concept kitchen and living room, complemented by a home office/bedroom and guest spaces. The kitchen is the heart of the home, designed with custom oak Euro-style flat door cabinetry, Dekton Marmorio stone countertops and backsplash, and a waterfall island centerpiece. A custom limestone plaster hood cover provides a sculptural focal point. The space is elevated with Bosch appliances and statement lighting choices that bring warmth and character. Second Floor The upper level includes bedrooms for the children, each with private bathrooms styled with wallpaper and playful lighting. The laundry room was designed for functionality, featuring two-tone cabinetry, quartzite countertops, and rounded subway tile backsplash. Primary Suite The primary bedroom features a white oak paneling statement wall set on a dark backdrop with pendant lighting. The suite includes a spacious walk-in closet and a luxurious bathroom with a freestanding tub, curbless shower with custom quartzite shelving, a smart toilet nook, and a custom oak vanity with stone-fabricated sinks. 48x48 ceramic tiles with precise mitered edges complete the spa-like atmosphere. General Highlights Throughout the home, thoughtful modern elements tie everything together: SPC natural oak-look plank flooring, custom black iron railings, trimless kerfed doors, 9’ ceilings, recessed lighting, dual HVAC systems, and an interior fire sprinkler system. This new construction showcases what’s possible when combining modern architecture, warm custom details, and functional family living into one cohesive home.

This condo is located in Williams Island Aventura, Florida. It features a complex integration with a four link music distribution system. Stereo in the Master Bedroom, Master Bathroom, Patio; and Dolby pro & DTS 5.1 Surround Sound in the Living Room. Using a swivel free standing TV from Bang & Olufsen the BeoVision 5 TV has a "1080p Broadcast grade Plasma display", built in BeoSystem 1 scaler and decoder, built in BeoLab 4000 as center channel. BeoSound 9000 as an Audio Source, a wall mounted iMac as media server source in the kitchen bar, Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 1, and Martin Logan speakers, this home theater has a great sound reproduction and a clean modern look. V. Gonzalo Martinez

This condo is located in Key Biscayne FL. It features a three zone music distribution system. Stereo in the Master Bedroom, kitchen, and in the Living room, using a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 3500 as the main sound source, BeoLab 6000, BeoLink Passive, Sonance Architectural Series in-ceiling speakers and a full active loudspeakers all wall mounted for a clear look throughout the apartment. V. Gonzalo Martinez

On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views. The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private. Reimagining the Urban Envelope The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression. Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views. At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides. Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors. Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow. Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways. A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space. A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls. Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere. Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas. Kitchen as Architectural Furniture The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich. Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash. Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface. A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette. Dining With a Living Backdrop Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset. A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience. Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation. The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop. The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space. Bathing Above the City In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops. The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials. Entertaining Above the Park Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art. Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline. Cinema and Retreat The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing. Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above. Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth. Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth. The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human. A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living. It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky. What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.

This custom home designed by Kimberly Kerl of Kustom Home Design beautifully reflects the unique personality and taste of the homeowners in a creative and dramatic fashion. The three-story home combines an eclectic blend of brick, stone, timber, lap and shingle siding. Rich textural materials such as stone and timber are incorporated into the interior design adding unexpected details and charming character to a new build. The two-story foyer with open stair and balcony allows a dramatic welcome and easy access to the upper and lower levels of the home. The Upper level contains 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, including a Jack-n-Jill style 4 piece bathroom design with private vanities and shared shower and toilet. Ample storage space is provided in the walk-in attic and large closets. Partially sloped ceilings, cozy dormers, barn doors and lighted niches give each of the bedrooms their own personality. The main level provides access to everything the homeowners need for independent living. A formal dining space for large family gatherings is connected to the open concept kitchen by a Butler's pantry and mudroom that also leads to the 3-car garage. An oversized walk-in pantry provide storage and an auxiliary prep space often referred to as a "dirty kitchen". Dirty kitchens allow homeowners to have behind the scenes spaces for clean up and prep so that the main kitchen remains clean and uncluttered. The kitchen has a large island with seating, Thermador appliances including the chef inspired 48" gas range with double ovens, 30" refrigerator column, 30" freezer columns, stainless steel double compartment sink and quiet stainless steel dishwasher. The kitchen is open to the casual dining area with large views of the backyard and connection to the two-story living room. The vaulted kitchen ceiling has timber truss accents centered on the full height stone fireplace of the living room. Timber and stone beams, columns and walls adorn this combination of living and dining spaces. The master suite is on the main level with a raised ceiling, oversized walk-in closet, master bathroom with soaking tub, two-person luxury shower, water closet and double vanity. The laundry room is convenient to the master, garage and kitchen. An executive level office is also located on the main level with clerestory dormer windows, vaulted ceiling, full height fireplace and grand views. All main living spaces have access to the large veranda and expertly crafted deck. The lower level houses the future recreation space and media room along with surplus storage space and utility areas. Kimberly Kerl, KH Design

This custom new construction home is a full ground-up build, designed to merge modern architectural features with subtle mid-century references for a timeless yet family-friendly home. Built for a young family, the design achieves the perfect balance of style, comfort, and luxury detail. Exterior & Architecture The home features a clean modern profile with dove gray smooth stucco, black frame Milgard Tuscany windows, and a standing seam metal roof with multiple monopitched overhangs that create striking rooflines. First Floor The interior layout flows with an open concept kitchen and living room, complemented by a home office/bedroom and guest spaces. The kitchen is the heart of the home, designed with custom oak Euro-style flat door cabinetry, Dekton Marmorio stone countertops and backsplash, and a waterfall island centerpiece. A custom limestone plaster hood cover provides a sculptural focal point. The space is elevated with Bosch appliances and statement lighting choices that bring warmth and character. Second Floor The upper level includes bedrooms for the children, each with private bathrooms styled with wallpaper and playful lighting. The laundry room was designed for functionality, featuring two-tone cabinetry, quartzite countertops, and rounded subway tile backsplash. Primary Suite The primary bedroom features a white oak paneling statement wall set on a dark backdrop with pendant lighting. The suite includes a spacious walk-in closet and a luxurious bathroom with a freestanding tub, curbless shower with custom quartzite shelving, a smart toilet nook, and a custom oak vanity with stone-fabricated sinks. 48x48 ceramic tiles with precise mitered edges complete the spa-like atmosphere. General Highlights Throughout the home, thoughtful modern elements tie everything together: SPC natural oak-look plank flooring, custom black iron railings, trimless kerfed doors, 9’ ceilings, recessed lighting, dual HVAC systems, and an interior fire sprinkler system. This new construction showcases what’s possible when combining modern architecture, warm custom details, and functional family living into one cohesive home.

Sharifi-ha House Uncertainty and flexibility lie at the heart of the design concept in Sharifi-ha House. The sensational, spatial qualities of the interiors, as well as the formal configuration of its exterior, directly respond to the displacement of turning boxes that lead the building volume to become open or closed, obtaining introverted or extroverted character. These changes may occur according to changing seasons or functional scenarios of floor plans. Like many other urban plots, the land for this project had a noticeably narrow façade-width compared with its length. Consequently, our expertise in transforming a two-dimensional façade to a three-dimensional one became indispensable. Here, the openness /closure of the building volume is a reference to traditional Iranian houses, which would dynamically serve as seasonal modes of habitation by offering both a Zemestan-Neshin (winter living room) and Taabestan-Neshin (summer living room) to their residents. In summertime, Sharifi-ha House offers an open /transparent /perforated volume with wide, large terraces. In contrast, during Tehran’s cold, snowy winters the volume closes itself, offering minimal openings in total absence of those wide summer terraces. In this project, the challenges to the concepts of open/closed typology (introverted/extroverted character) led to an exciting spatial transformation of an ever-changing residential building. The House is distributed over seven floors: the two basement floors are allocated to family conviviality, fitness facilities, and wellness areas, while the ground floor hosts parking and housekeeping rooms. Public activities all happen on the first and second floors, and the family’s private life takes place on the third and fourth floors. The project consisted of four major parts; the fixed volume of the structure, the void, and the fixed volume and the mobile volume, respectively. When the turning boxes are closed, the building captures sunlight throughout the space of the central void, which also connects the two fixed volumes by suspended bridges. The house adapts to the functional needs of its residents. For instance, depending on whether there is a guest or not, the guest room (located on the second floor) can be reconfigured for different purposes. Similarly, home office and breakfast room (turning rooms on the first and third floors) can change the formality of their appearance according to their residents’ desire. In other words, there is always the possibility of having different seasonal or lighting scenarios, some of which have been already considered in the BMS program of the project. From the initial design steps, we noticed that three pine trees outside could be incorporated into the spaces of the interior. Now, in the open mode of the house, the trees are pleasantly captured by the window frames. Stepping back for about three meters from the permitted construction boundary line allowed us to provide splendid daylight for the basement floors by inserting a glass fountain. The fitness and wellness areas are accommodated between this fountain and the basement pool where reflective installations reverberate the water’s radiance all over the space. The applied manufacturing technique for the turning mechanism was in fact a simple one; the same method which is currently employed in turning theatrical scenes, turning the floor of car exhibitions, steel companies and the shipping industry in Iran. But as our client himself was into importing CNC and other similar industrial German machines, he preferred the structural system to be fabricated in Germany. In doing so, he could engage his employees in the manufacturing process and thus train them for future maintenance purposes. Details of the handrails and air-penetration controlling methods were major issues considered in developing the design of the turning boxes. Designing foldable handrails and refining the edges of the boxes happened to be our feasible solutions. Considering the specialties of this kind of architecture, the structural system was inevitably a customized one. After digitally modeling the structure, a series of SAP2000 analysis were undertaken to examine static/dynamic performance of the proposed system. Being partially moveable is the dominant feature of this structural assembly, which was contemplated throughout the fabrication process by the German manufacturer company. The main loads all rest on the beams of the living rooms. Due to the various configurations the turning boxes may take, the loading calculation has been estimated based on the largest possible loading value applied to the system. Additionally, in order to prevent structural deformation controlling the probable vibrations in the turning boxes was taken into account during the design/calculations of the structure. The house was titled Sharifi-ha House, in honor of traditional Iranian mansions.

Monica Perrone This sixteen-bed hospice care facility completed in 2006 has a 150' long rose arbor as its crowning feature. Traditional in theme and appropriate for its agrarian setting, this facility needed to feel very "residential" so that patients and guests could feel at home while managing end of life issues. Hedges, tree canopies and private patient patios offer beauty and comfortable transitions to/from the larger garden. An organized layout of paths and various points of interest, including four water features and a mist-filled grotto, allow for strolling and retreating. A significant herringbone brick formal patio and lawn support larger functions.

This design/build project involved taking an existing space and converting it into a master bathroom with his and hers vanities. Her vanity has a finished height of 32" and his 36" to reflect the differences between the husband and wife. The twin shower and private stool compartment provide both the privacy and the ability for showering together. The glass block window allows light to flow into the bathroom yet provides the privacy that owner requested. The programmable whirlpool is one segment of the overall whole house home automation system. It provides the owner with the capability of calling home, turning on music and having the tub fill with warm water for a relaxing evening. The programmable heated floor takes the chill away in the winter months and provides toasty toes.

On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views. The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private. Reimagining the Urban Envelope The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression. Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views. At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides. Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors. Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow. Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways. A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space. A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls. Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere. Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas. Kitchen as Architectural Furniture The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich. Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash. Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface. A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette. Dining With a Living Backdrop Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset. A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience. Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation. The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop. The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space. Bathing Above the City In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops. The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials. Entertaining Above the Park Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art. Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline. Cinema and Retreat The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing. Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above. Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth. Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth. The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human. A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living. It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky. What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.

On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views. The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private. Reimagining the Urban Envelope The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression. Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views. At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides. Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors. Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow. Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways. A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space. A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls. Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere. Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas. Kitchen as Architectural Furniture The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich. Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash. Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface. A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette. Dining With a Living Backdrop Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset. A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience. Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation. The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop. The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space. Bathing Above the City In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops. The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials. Entertaining Above the Park Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art. Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline. Cinema and Retreat The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing. Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above. Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth. Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth. The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human. A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living. It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky. What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.

Located six feet from the sand, this residence seeks to reframe the contextual reference of its inhabitants in order to mitigate its highly trafficked location and create a private beach retreat. In parallel to its unobstructed ocean view, the design carves out infinite pockets of nature within the architecture. From the dining room’s bamboo garden to the expansive skylight above the stairwell, moments of serenity have been carefully composed throughout the home in order to make each frame as infinite as the horizon line of the Pacific Ocean.

This condo is located in the heart of South Beach FL. It features a simple but yet elegant two link music distribution system, stereo in the Master bedroom, and Dolby pro & DTS 5.1 Surround sound in the Living room, using a Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 4 "1080p Broadcast grade Plasma display", BeoSystem 3 as main decoder, Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 2 as Audio & Video Source, BeoLab 7-4, BeoLab 3, and BeoLab 2 Subwoofer, a full Acoustic Lent Technology® through all loudspeakers makes this home theater sound reproduction one of the most attractive ever made. V. Gonzalo Martinez