A DesignBuild interior renovation of a three-story townhouse in a contemporary high rise, the Rincon Tower, overlooking the Bay Bridge and downtown San Francisco redefines and capitalizes on unutilized space to create a tricked-out, open, modern and comfortably livable space for a highly design-focused couple. The design, that affected all three levels, illustrates how out-of-the-box design thinking and detailing can alter a project aesthetic, perception and use in profound ways–for entertaining and every day joy.
The project was the interior renovation of a three-story townhouse in a contemporary high rise, the Rincon Tower, overlooking the Bay Bridge and downtown San Francisco for a design focused couple. The owner had three goals; more efficient use of a series of underutilized support spaces of closets, pantry, home office, etc., increase the size and efficiency of the kitchen, opening it up to the main living space, and most importantly for an aesthetic redefinition of the unit, modernize the design with a use of details and materials to create a more open, modern and comfortably livable space. On the top floor living level the kitchen was enlarged by absorbing a walk-in pantry and closed off desk area, and moved a few feet to allow for a more formal dining area. New custom steel and wood built-ins were used to define the space, increase storage and activate the space with a built-in bar/storage wall in the dining room. A custom steel pivoting “Scooby-Doo Door” simultaneously hides, and provides access to, the kitchen from the entry. The living room has a media console and live edge walnut sideboard.
A new steel and acrylic stair, a redefined Zack | de Vito design, with a 30’ center guard rail of woven stainless steel rod replaced the dull, dark carpeted stair. The new a translucent and glass stair is pivotal bringing light down two floors below. On the floor below we converted underutilized storage space into a home office and library, purpose-built for work from home and zoom calls, outfitted with more custom steel and wood mill work and steel and glass doors. The project successfully converted a generic high-rise condo into an inhabited sculpture with an abundance of custom made gadgets and contraptions.
Design and Build Team:
Jim Zack: Principal-in-charge
Leland Classen: Project Architect and master detailer
Construction Manager: Dan Lasman
Photography: Steve Sandler
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