shakkei

In this remodel, the design is organized around shakkei — the use of borrowed scenery to shape the interior experience. Rather than opening the house broadly, views are selected and framed. The goal is not to maximize exposure, but to control what is seen and how it is experienced. A mature grove along the edge of the site anchors the near field, pulling greenery directly into the living spaces. Beyond that, the park frontage and the familiar rhythm of neighboring San Francisco houses extend the visual depth of the interior. Select openings align with distant landmarks — the Golden Gate Bridge, Sutro Tower, and Mt. Tam — bringing the larger landscape into view. The result is a home that feels immersed and expansive, while maintaining privacy within a dense neighborhood.

The street trees are invited to the party!

Rift-sawn white oak cabinetry, Thermador appliances, and engineered Calacatta quartz countertops. Check out the concealable appliance garage/breakfast station.

Kitchen is bathed in natural light. 2" white oak flooring is selected to match the traditional trims of this house.

View of the neighborhood from the great room.

Living room with entertainment station.

borrowed views and light

The main level (second floor): by coopting a recessed balcony and removing walls (supported by new structural elements), the common areas are integrated into an expansive great room. Floor-to-ceiling openings draw in the tree canopy and sky, while more controlled apertures maintain privacy from adjacent homes. The kitchen is transformed from a small enclosed room to an open and spacious one. Oak cabinetry and flooring, in contrast with white countertops, make this a warm and elegant space for cooking and gathering. The material palette is restrained allowing light and views to define the experience.

View from primary bedroom: a grassy field, Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Tam, clouds and sky.

Primary bath: balance between privacy and a beautiful view of Sutro Tower.

Kid's bedroom overlooking the tree canopy.

Spacious kid's bath has a deep soaking tub good for 2 kids and a parent.

relaxation and comtemplation

The bedroom level (third floor): in the primary bedroom, large windows capture views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Mt. Tam to the north, while a west-facing window has been closed to optimize furniture placement. The floor plan is reconfigured to allow for a larger primary bath and a spacious walk-in closet. The restrained palette of the primary bath focuses the eye to the view of Sutro Tower. The kid’s bathroom: designed for functionality with a Japanese style soaking tub and separate shower in a wet room arrangement. Bright blue octagonal tiles add a pop of color.

The entry hallway provides clear views of the kitchen, the glass backdoor, and the stairs.

Architectural jigsaw: custom designed steel balusters to work perfectly with the treads and risers.

All the behind-the-scene labor ensures the top railing to appear level.

echos from the past

The hazardous original winder stairs have been replaced with a custom design. Steel balusters with narrow spacing recall the decorative trim details on the building facade and the fluting often appeared in the Arte Moderne idiom. Due to the uneven existing floor, the steel balusters were fabricated at different heights so the top railing appears level. A frameless glass insert is set at a child friendly height. We believe these additional refinements elevate the overall experience and enjoyment.

This large corner property is transformed for contemporary living while retaining the traditional trims of the Arte Moderne style. Ground level houses the garage and a future ADU.

before and after

This project addresses severe water infiltration issues in an old structure while modernizing the functions and layout for a growing family. The design strategy focussed on high-impact interventions to maximize a limited budget. Extensive waterproofing and reframing were performed on the exterior walls to rectify previous water damages. The laundry was moved to the third floor for convenience, with a drain pan under the washer to prevent overflowing. A secondary lint trap in the dryer ducting enhances fire safety. The house is protected by a Moen® Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff plus local leak sensors.