RUSSIAN HILL RESIDENCE

ARCHITECTURE:

Stephen MacCracken (Principal)
Daniel Robinson (Principal)
Jocelynn Cambier
Sylvan Cambier
Angelo Claudio

CONTRACTOR:

Ventana 76 Construction

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Rien van Rijthoven
Jacob Elliot (Rooftop)

This urban infill project is an adaptive reuse of an underutilized one-story concrete garage, originally part of the adjacent apartment building. Now, it is used as the base for a new single-family residence on Russian Hill in San Francisco. Set at the end of an alley, the building makes a natural transition step from an adjacent seven-story apartment complex to a two-story existing house to the south.

Innovative full lot coverage with elevated decks and panoramic roof views

The project included a variance to have complete lot coverage on the ground floor, with raised exterior decks on the structure below to provide open space for occupants. A roof deck accessed by an exterior spiral staircase has a sweeping 180-degree view of San Francisco from east to west. Two new horizontal boxes form layers above the garage on the narrow 20’ x 60’ property as well as staggered framed glass planes on the facade set the tone for what lies within.

One of the main challenges was to accommodate typical residential program requirements for a three-bedroom house into a very narrow property. We accomplished this by placing primary spaces on the glass ends of the building. The garage, media room, storage rooms, and mechanical rooms were constructed on the fully covered first floor.

Open-concept kitchen and living space

Located on the middle floor, the bedrooms and bathrooms create a fully open kitchen and living space on the third level, where the residents spend most of their time. The exposed structural system, made of raw steel with a matte sealer, adds industrial character while enhancing the high-quality interior finishes. This design approach contrasts detailed materials with the natural beauty of raw elements, creating a unique architectural experience in the heart of San Francisco