This project has historical interest in the development of San Francisco. The original house was built in the 1880’s as a gardener’s cottage for The Sutro Estate. It was the first house on the block, with sweeping views from Golden Gate Park to Ocean Beach. The owner bought the dilapidated house with an interest in the history of the house and the proximity of the ocean. Due to the condition and layout of the house, we elected to gut the interior and exterior, leaving just the shell and footprint intact. Desiring to utilize the unique quality of light provided by San Francisco’s fog belt, the plan was developed with a two story central circulation core, lit from a large cupola at the roof. This provides all rooms with at least two sides of natural light, and an organizing structure for the design of the house. The stair occupies this central area of the house and provides a vertical shaft of light that transforms the house into one that feels larger than its size and is flooded with natural light.

General Contractor – Cove Construction

Interior Designer – Tamara Sypult

Photographer – Mark Darley