This project is the joining and remodel of two adjacent row houses in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. While the existing structures had little to recommend them aesthetically, they do occupy an extraordinary site. From the front façade they look out upon Alta Plaza Park, a charming two-block park at the very top of Pacific Heights; and out the back they have a panoramic view of San Francisco Bay.

Because of the setting, the design focused on maintaining the front to back transparency of the interior volumes, so one would be aware of both views simultaneously. The entry/public level is on the second floor, enabling the garages and guest rooms to occupy the ground floor where the view is of the back yard. The third level is reserved for the client's private use - their offices and the master bedroom suite.

The dominant exterior materials are Neoparies, a crystalline glass wall panel from Japan; Basaltina, a charcoal colored slab stone used on both the façade and exterior paving; and matte-finished stainless steel railings and windows. The front façade is dominated by a 30-foot tall vertical "airfoil" fin, which is actually a structural column, and is also made of stainless steel. The circular stair – a dramatic sculpture of stone and stainless steel – is a sensuous ribbon whose effect is heightened by the contrast to the overall rectilinear geometry of the architecture. The interior floors are either wenge hardwood or Brandy Crag, a bluish/gray English stone.

The front door, mailbox, vertical cable trellis, and certain furniture pieces, were built by our shop.