Peter's House in San Francisco by Craig Steely Architecture
08/05/2014.
By Craig Steely Architecture. [CA] USA
metalocus, SARA REBOLLO
metalocus, SARA REBOLLO
Description of project by the architects
Located above San Francisco’s Dolores Park on a steep site bordering a public garden, the decidedly small house, (only 1800 square feet) builds on this steep lot as efficiently as possible.
Rather than the typical construction practice of locating foundations staggered up the hillside, Peter’s house locates a 24 ft. x 24 ft. cast-in-place concrete garage at the lowest level and builds a 3-story glass tower above it, altering the land and native hillside drainage very little. The top living floor then spans from a flat plateau at top of the lot to the tower like a bridge, essentially reducing the amount of excavation typically involved in construction of this type by 2/3.
Beyond the structural challenges, the biggest issue in designing Peter’s house was opening the building to the expansive view while maintaining a level of privacy from the sidewalk and garden that pass alongside. Around the time the house was being designed, the new on-ramp to the Golden Gate Bridge was under construction which necessitated clearing a grove of Monterey Cypress trees in it’s path from the Presidio. We secured some of these trees and working with a local milling shop turned them into 90 solid wood louvers (fixed on the exterior/operable on the interior) that regulate openness and privacy.
CREDITS.-
Architect.- Craig Steely Architecture.
Type.- Single Family Residence.
Size.- 1900 Sq. Ft.
Completed.- 2013.
Location.- San Francisco, CA.
Craig Steely is principal of Craig Steely Architecture. Craig Steely is a California and Hawaii based architect. His buildings have been described as true and unique hybrids of these two environments. His work explores the boundaries of integration as well as emancipation from nature. They embrace the realities of the environment and our connection/separation to it over the subjugation of it, all the while focusing on developing a singular architecture rooted in its context. Active projects include work on the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui, as well as several along the coast of California — from Sea Ranch to San Francisco to Big Sur.
He received his architecture degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. His work has been awarded recognition by the American Institute of Architects and published widely in books and periodicals. In 2009 he was selected as an “Emerging Talent” by the AIA California Council. His office was chosen top firm in the 2013 Residential Architect Magazine leadership awards.
Act.- 06.04.2018