The owners of this 1950s Ranch Style home wanted a modern home without the added expense of new, ground up construction. The house was well and appropriately positioned on the sloping property, so it was just a matter of improving the plan above using most of the footings that existed. The house was transformed into a contemporary home by employing a butterfly roof form, clean lines, and cedar boards combined with the existing, refurbished stucco siding. The ‘clean’ look on the exterior is also achieved by stratifying the building materials vertically. At the original eave level was established a horizontal ‘band’ that delineated the change from stucco to siding and lower windows from upper glazing. The 54” pivoting front door cleanly blends in with the siding and provides for a 42” clear opening and majestic entryway.

On the interior, steel beams welded at 90 degrees allowed for the Kitchen to open up unobstructed to the Family Room and Dining area. This engineering also provided for the inside corner of the dual bi-folding door system to open the inside corner to the rear deck without fixed support posts. When opened completely, the unimpeded view to the San Francisco skyline is spectacular. A central fireplace column is the central feature bringing the Living Room, Family Room, formal and casual dining rooms, and Kitchen all together to create a large heart of house space. The central column also houses audio visual components and large screen television. In the Master Bathroom, a narrow opening in the ceiling along the entire vanity wall leads up to a skylight which bathes the wall in natural light. The effect being a greater connection with the outside.

It was a pleasure to work with Andrew Vanni (AV Builders) on the realization of this eye-catching home.