The Vessel by Kennerly Architecture & Planning

ByJon Dykstra Houses

The front facade of the house which is wrapped in a veil of cedar pickets.

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Architecture Firm: Kennerly Architecture & Planning
Location: San Francisco, CA
Photography: Matthew Millman

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Two floors are added atop a 1949 row-house to accommodate an active family in flowing, informal living space.

The existing house is stretched back into the slope of the hill establishing a podium of bedrooms and service areas. Its façade is wrapped in a veil of cedar pickets. Above, the open living area with glass at both ends accesses the garden and panoramic views.

Like a ship in a bottle, the facetted cedar master suite is suspended overhead between skylights that bring sun-light deep into the center of the home.

A staircase connecting the main level to the two additional floors atop, which provide an informal living space. The skylights allow sunlight to enter the heart of the home.
A staircase connecting the main level to the two additional floors atop, which provide an informal living space. The skylights allow sunlight to enter the heart of the home.
The first floor addition includes the open dining, living, and kitchen arrangement with dark wood floors and a glass extension to the ceiling that allows for lots of natural light in the morning and a glimpse of the sky at night.
The first floor addition includes the open dining, living, and kitchen arrangement with dark wood floors and a glass extension to the ceiling that allows for lots of natural light in the morning and a glimpse of the sky at night.
The six-seater dining table in this dining space blends nicely with the natural wood floors and ceiling that run throughout the kitchen and living area.
The six-seater dining table in this dining space blends nicely with the natural wood floors and ceiling that run throughout the kitchen and living area.
A marble-topped kitchen with a floating island showing a minimalist style. The cabinets is installed on a light blue wall with a huge window that lets in lots of natural light.
A marble-topped kitchen with a floating island showing a minimalist style. The cabinets is installed on a light blue wall with a huge window that lets in lots of natural light.
In the upper floor is the open living area with glass at both ends accesses the garden and panoramic views.
In the upper floor is the open living area with glass at both ends accesses the garden and panoramic views.
A light-filled and spacious open living room surrounded by glass, with a door leading to a terrace with a panoramic view of the city.
A light-filled and spacious open living room surrounded by glass, with a door leading to a terrace with a panoramic view of the city.
The back facade ended with a huge opening from the kitchen to a patio with seating area and stairs leading to the garden.
The back facade ended with a huge opening from the kitchen to a patio with seating area and stairs leading to the garden.
The front facade of the house which is wrapped in a veil of cedar pickets.
The front facade of the house which is wrapped in a veil of cedar pickets.
The section plan of the vessel house.
The section plan of the vessel house.

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Jon Dykstra
Jon Dykstra

Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.

His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.

His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn

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