LOCATION
San Francisco

CREDITS
Photography: Sharon Risedorph

RECOGNITION
Architectural Record

Sproule Rowen
Third floor addition to house a world class art collection.

A third-floor addition was designed to capture the stunning views of the Bay and Marin Headlands toward the north, as well as the untamed landscape of Tank Hill toward the south. The plan is deceptively simple, consisting of two glass rooms (the family room and master bedroom) separated by a core containing the master bathroom and master closet. A new concrete-and-aluminum-grating-clad staircase connects the addition to the existing lower floor.

The ability to circulate freely around the core provides an expansive feel to the house. Ten-foot ceilings and corner windows enhance the indoor/outdoor connection, with decks providing direct access to the magnificent views. Off the family room is a small private study, as well as a fireplace inglenook with integrated bookshelves. A built-in tub separate from the master bathroom offers a tranquil setting for relaxing and enjoying the view. The finish palette is subtle yet refined; white walls with terrazzo floors, steel and aluminum elements, and a rich slate blue accent provides an elegant backdrop to the museum-quality photography collection.