Situated near Dolores Heights in San Francisco, this westward-sloping site offers stunning panoramic views of the city and the nearby Sutro Tower. The residence was designed in collaboration with Kevin Sawyer of Sawyer Design, who is also a partial owner of the property.
Kevin and his husband aim to renovate and expand their existing earthquake cabins, which have been added to sporadically over the years. Their vision is to transform these awkwardly connected rooms into an open, harmonious living space. Since the current footprint occupies most of the land, the design focuses on maximizing the relationship between the house and its unique location.
The site and residence are connected along a straight axis that interacts with the building’s form as it rises toward the main entrance. Inside, this axis directs the view downhill toward Sutro, culminating at an impressive Monterey cypress tree on the uphill end.
The house forms are interwoven, featuring a striking color palette of cedar, fixed-seam metal, and cement panels. This combination, along with the interior colors, creates an open plan space. The form gradually strengthens toward the front, paying homage to the traditional rural architecture of old San Francisco.
An inverted bay window box extends 8 feet beyond the facade, highlighting three distinct experiences of the “urban forest.” Below, there is an outdoor fire pit set on the forest floor. Inside, the box frames views of the “backbone” layer. Above, the rooftop platform extends into the living room, offering an experience akin to being in the tree canopy. This platform’s backdrop resembles a mountain wall, evoking a childlike sense of home.
Project Information
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Fourth Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Details
Architect: Jones | Haydu
Area: 295 square meters
Year Completed: 2021
Photographer: Matthew Millman
Suppliers: Benjamin Moore, Blu Bathworks, Graff, Integrated Resources Group, Mosa, Sogni Di Cristalo, Tulip, Umili, Western Window Systems
Lead Architects: J. Hulett Jones, Paul Haydu, Grace Leung
Interior Design: Sawyer Design
General Contractor: Jeff King and Company
Structural Engineer: Strandberg Engineering
Location: San Francisco, United States
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