The biggest challenge of this project on the North side of Russian Hill in San Francisco may very well have been getting permission from the planning department to convert this 2 unit building to one unit. The resulting project will be a four thousand square foot, 6 bedroom home. Although the approval process did require persistence and pertinence, the final approval came mostly as a result of shifting policies at the planning department. The only constant at the planning department these days seems to be change, and I’ve seen policy flip-flop many times there. So sometimes the best approach to getting a challenging project through is waiting until (or striking when) the timing is right.
At the center is a new stair, which opens up and connects the 3 floors, making the previous 2 flats feel like one home. A skylight above, open treads, and a glass landing reinforce this sense of openness and fill the home with natural light. The stair structure is tube steel, with wood treads, glass guardrails and a structural glass landing.
The house, is a piano noble with the main living spaces located on the top floor, so that views and daylight can be maximised during the waking hours. An open family room to at the front, a central dining room, and a game room at the rear.
The middle floor contains the bedrooms. A master suite at the rear, two front bedrooms and a central office/bedroom.
The lower level consists of a large multi purpose room, and a guest bedroom.
Update: See the construction photos:
