A quirk in San Francisco’s urban fabric where two streets slide together at an awkward angle - forms a mini district with unrealized potential as an urban place. Located in San Francisco’s Richmond neighborhood near the Presidio, the site is a trapezoid bounded on three sides by streets of different character. The new mixed-use building responds to this situation, and activates the cityscape around it.
The slender parcel is spanned by 3 volumes that each holds two interlocked town-homes. The building is cleaved by landscaped courts to soften the transition from city to home. Suspended above and between these gardens each of the six homes is clearly expressed as a 2-story volume of wood, stucco and glass. A glass retail storefront space and parking garage are tucked beneath. The building provides active street-frontage, and mediates between the existing commercial uses and transit stops on one side and the primarily residential uses on the other.
Interlocked in section, the living spaces of each townhouse stretch from street to street and open directly to private patios. The gardens below serve as semi-private entry courts and offer glimpses through the narrow block. With the interlocking concept, each home is given its own expression on the street, each gets a patio and exposure on at least 2 sides. The wood paneling nestled into each sculpted volume recalls the stained wood entry alcoves of Victorian mansions.
Building configuration / passive systems:
The interlocking units provide north and south sun exposure to all the units, allowing natural ventilation and natural daylighting.
Storm-water management: Sidewalks and open on-site spaces are designed with 40% area of permeable surfaces.
Eco-conscious materials used, such as FSC certified woods for flooring and exterior paneling, and Knau eco-batt thermal insulation.
Material Used:
1. Wood - FSC certified white-oak flooring and exterior paneling – Prodema
2. Stucco - Dryvit
3. Cladding - AZEK Trim
4. Lighting - Lumiere and Tech Lighting
5. Aluminum Windows - Bonelli
