San Francisco’s largest neighborhood, the Sunset District, has great potential for increasing density within a city with chronic housing shortages and sky-high real estate costs. Corner lots offer the best opportunity for increased density without major disruption to the residential fabric of the area. These also provide prime locations for new public facing programs including shops, restaurants, cafes, and community spaces that help localize services within the neighborhood.
The outer skin is a soft grey veil of wood, reminiscent of shingle style houses in the Bay Area. At times the veil is interrupted by terrace subtractions or large windows, other times running past windows in a delicate filigree. Inset volumes contrast the gray wood with naturally colored oiled wood. Wood surfaces wrap the interiors yielding warm, embracing spaces. A contemporary interpretation of the bay window pops out from the façade plane to allow light and additional space to bedrooms yet maintain privacy. A communal roof terrace promotes social interaction and provides ocean views to the west.