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San Francisco, California
Built, 2017-2019
Private
Residential ADU
1,200 Square Feet
Nestled behind a Victorian townhouse in San Francisco's Alamo Square neighborhood is a small cottage built in the early 1900s. Over the years, the floor plan had been divided repeatedly, resulting in a maze-like configuration that crowded out any sense of the original space and blocked much of the natural light. Our task was to untangle this warren of rooms, restore spatial clarity, and reintroduce natural light so the cottage could once again serve as a true in-law house for the growing family.
Given that the client is a longtime children’s book editor and writer, the challenge of accommodating a large book collection within the compact space became a central design driver.
After restructuring the roof to allow the ceilings of the main living areas to be fully vaulted, a central spine of bookcases was introduced. This element not only provides ample storage but also serves as a functional divider between the public and private areas of the house.
T.W. Ryan, Thomas Ryan, Mitchell Price
Contractor:
Modern Craft Construction
Photography:
Mariko Reed