Perched high on the North slope of Potrero Hill, the location of this project provides an abundance of natural light and views of the city, the bay and beyond. The site is a typical San Francisco narrow lot flanked by zero lot line properties on either side, creating an urban canyon running East to West.
The design concept extends the two perimeter walls out beyond the structure and contains the living spaces within. The living room floor plane floats above the ground floor entry-level, with volumes of glass that flow out and around the main concrete column which provides support for both upper levels at the front. The common spaces, including the kitchen and dining room, spill out onto the rear west-facing deck, connecting them to the garden via an exterior stairway.
At each end of the house, openings at various floor levels provide frames for specific city views, while letting ample sunlight stream into the interior spaces. A large lightwell at the heart of the structure encompasses the main stair and allows a column of sunlight to stream into the core of the house, providing natural daylighting throughout each level.
The bedrooms are situated at the upper levels and have views of the neighboring rooftops and the bay. Terraces open up to the exterior, including a viewing deck alongside the penthouse guest suite, connecting the interiors with the surrounding city and landscapes. On the ground floor, full-height sliding glass doors and windows allow a home office and art room to open out on to a private patio and garden space at the rear.
Data Sheet
Location: San Francisco, California
Floor area: 3200 square feet, 250.8 square meters
Structural Engineer: Santos Urrutia Structural Engineers Inc.
General contractor: Art of Construction
Photographer: Bruce Damonte Photography
Press Distribution: v2com
About Terry & Terry Architecture
Terry & Terry Architecture focuses on its ability to combine innovative architectural theory and practice. The partnership has experience with a wide variety of projects, including the design of single-family and multi-family housing, retail, and office space; tenant improvement; and urban design. They have an extensive, unique experience with building construction and fabrication that has enabled them to acquire and refine a first-hand knowledge of the relationship between concept, construction and project realization.
The firm has explored design concepts that range from private alternative homes to urban design in collaboration with other design professionals. In an attempt to improve the built environment, it has engaged in investigations of several concepts in future infrastructures that integrate architecture and planning.
The partners, Alexander and Ivan Terry, have received Bachelors and M. Arch degrees from UC Berkeley and each have over twenty years of experience, offering both design concepts and professional production services in architecture. Terry & Terry Architecture aspires to improve the quality of life through design excellence– thus exploring design challenges at all levels, from furniture design to urban design with a focus on innovation in response to changing conditions.
