Thom Faulders Architects on "Deform House"

Thom Faulders Architects on "Deform House"

Architects Homes Renovation

Deform House build by Thom Faulders Architect was brought on to consult on an efficient method for production and to then process and fabricate the individually pieced ceiling patterns.

The variegated ceiling and rear wall lining is composed of a series of milled patterns that modulates throughout the space, wrapping, bulging and aligning in continuously unique ways depending on the viewers position.

When Bay Area architect Thom Faulders was hired to renovate and enlarge a faux French house in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill neighborhood in 2004, he received only one directive. “He said he needed walls, walls, walls for the artwork,” Faulders says of client Jeff Dauber, a Silicon Valley technologist with a sizable art collection. “Given that, I thought I’d take over the ceiling.”

Deform House is a third level addition and extensive renovation to an existing two level single-family residence in San Francisco. The function of the top floor is for a Private Art Gallery, with a new Master Suite considered as an integrated extension of this space. The addition is approximately 1,200 sq. ft., and is constrained by existing structural walls and neighboring structures.

With the need to maximize vertical wall surfaces for art, the design emphasizes the ceiling plane with a pattern of optically shifting grooves. Sheathing the entire top floor ceiling and rear wall, this lining unifies the spaces and is in contrast with the architectural neutrality of the smooth walls. An entry gate is perforated with a security warning written in binary code text.

The project is a third level addition and extensive renovation to an existing two level single-family residence in San Francisco. The function of the top floor is for a Private Art Gallery, with a new Master Suite considered as an integrated extension of this space.

The addition is approximately 1,200 sq. ft., and is constrained by existing structural walls and neighboring structures. With the need to maximize vertical wall surfaces for art, the design emphasizes the ceiling plane with a pattern of optically shifting grooves. Sheathing the entire top floor ceiling and rear wall, this lining unifies the spaces and is in contrast with the architectural neutrality of the smooth walls. An entry gate is perforated with a security warning written in binary code text.

Abby Suckle Architects | Boardman Residence

Abby Suckle Architects | Boardman Residence

Homes Renovation

An interior renovation project by Abby Suckle Architects on 1957 House that was originally designed by John Nickols, this is an interior renovation. The plan was reconfigured to enlarge the public space by opening the kitchen. A new master bedroom suite was created.

Innovative for its day, the challenge of this project was to give the house a makeover, respect the original design and design intent and enhance it by bringing the house back to what it was. It was done on a budget.





















The house was published in Dwell-June, 2006 (Houses We Love). It received an Interiors Citation from the Boston Society of Architects and an Honor Award for Renovation from the Society for American Registered Architects in 2006. It was exhibited at Build Boston in November, 2006.






















The Boardmans’ house in Carlisle, Massachusetts, may have begun its life as an outcast but has since taken kindly to its wooded surroundings.

Alterations Project of Oliver Residence in Seaforth, New South Wales

Alterations Project of Oliver Residence in Seaforth, New South Wales

Homes Renovation

This modern house design is the results of an additions and alterations project of Oliver Residence in Seaforth, New South Wales. The renovation project involved important reconfigurations to the existing dwelling, including a new formal entry lobby at the upper level with direct access to the open plan living area, the creation of a new full length deck to the upper level with integrated sun shading, new master ensuite and walk in robe, new bathrooms, general facade upgrades and building remodelling.

The result is a substantial family home with a single design aesthetic that readily accommodates indoor, outdoor living and encourages constant interaction with the phenomenal view.

Warehouse Loft into Private Residence by Garcia Tamjidi

Warehouse Loft into Private Residence by Garcia Tamjidi

Homes Renovation

This interesting private residence project is a nice transformation design projected by Garcia Tamjidi from its previous "warehouse loft" located in the city of San Francisco.

The loft maximizes natural light provided by an exterior light court. Designed as a living gallery space, the architecture capitalizes on the openness and optimizes generous display surfaces. The interior stair connecting the ground floor from the loft becomes an artistic focal point and transition from the more public to the more private areas.

Quinta da Serra Restoration by Adam Richards Architects

Quinta da Serra Restoration by Adam Richards Architects

Homes Renovation

Adam Richards Architects projected the restoration and conversion of a traditional stone Quinta located in the mountains of southern Portugal. To meet the client’s needs, the home restoration project involves the radical re-ordering of the building’s internal spaces. The house has been comprehensively rebuild and extended, with exterior stonework sensitively restored, and married to a dramatic contemporary design that opens it up to the light an the landscape.



Two narrow strips forming a cross in plan, containing functional elements such as stairs and kitchen equipment, overlap each other across three storeys within the stone box of the main house. These define different sized spaces that contain the principal activities, for living, dining, cooking and reading.

Potrero Hill Residence by Aidlin Darling Design

Potrero Hill Residence by Aidlin Darling Design

Homes Renovation

A mundane 1950's developer house was transformed into a light-filled modern home in this 1,650 square foot urban renovation. Mute stucco facades were opened up with expanses of glass, capturing panoramic views to the west, and intimate gardens to the east. A sculptural interplay of material, light and space extends the perceived and implied volume of the building, making a small home feel spacious and spatially dynamic.



























The picture above shown the Potrero Hill residence image after renovation and transformed into a light-filled modern home, this nice Potrero Hill Residence was designed by Aidlin Darling Design. See his other cool residential project of single story Caretakers Residence on this best house design blog.

Open Box House, Contemporary Family House by Feldman Architecture

Open Box House, Contemporary Family House by Feldman Architecture

Homes Renovation

Designed by Feldman Architecture, This Open Box House transformed a run-of-the-mill 1950s vinyl-clad box into a contemporary family house that takes advantages of its site. The original house was detached on three sides and perched on a lot with panoramic views, but its small windows and small dark rooms ignored the hillside location. The unfinished lower floor made no effort to connect to the large flat yard.



















The architect knocked out interior walls to create a large open plan that centers on a sleek new kitchen and installed floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning downtown views. To the previously unfinished lower floor the architect added a new entry, a guest suite, and a large family room whose glass walls roll away to connect the inside to a newly landscaped deck and yard.



















The clean modern house is warmed by the generous use of dark stained wood and rich tiles, and by its strong connection to lush landscaping. Steel and aluminium accent and details contribute its clean design.
























































































































Architects and

Open Box House 2 Ren0vation by Feldman Architecture

Open Box House 2 Ren0vation by Feldman Architecture

Homes Renovation

This Open Box House 2 is a renovation project of the modern hilltop house that was done by San Francisco based Feldman Architecture. This project is a follow-up to Open Box House that sits next door.

Word from the Feldman architects:
We opened up every aspect of this urban residence to take advantage of its hilltop site and access to the outdoors. Sunlight enhanced the dramatic transformation of this house from an uninspired 2-storey residence into a sophisticated, modern dwelling.



















With eco-friendly principles guiding the design direction, elements that once appeared dark and unwelcoming were given a glamorous new beginning with the introduction of translucent glass kitchen tiles, white oak plank floors, and fold away ground level doors. A roof that peels away to reveal a lively deck provides the final hinge to a remarkable “open box” design. were involved in a total renovation of this modern hilltop house.

Remodel of Capitol hill House by Blip

Remodel of Capitol hill House by Blip

Homes Renovation

Image [before remodelling]

This is an extensive remodel of an existing house by Blip Design, with a new penthouse and roof deck . The stairs were opened up and relocated to the center of the house, allowing natural ventilation throughout (there is no mechanical ventilation). A framework mounted atop the penthouse supports an array of photo-voltaic modules, combined with solar hot water collectors.



























Image [after remodelling]

Other ecologically sustainable elements in this project include: wastewater heat-recovery, rainwater harvesting, hydronic radiant floor heat, super-insulated envelope, rain-screen siding. This house appeared in the June 2004 issue of DWELL magazine. It won a 2005 Built Green Design Award.



























Environmental Aspects

This project's most visible green feature is the array of photovoltaic panels and solar-hot-water collectors mounted atop the penthouse roof. The PVs can produce 3,200 kWh of electricity per year, and, with the help of assorted energy-saving strategies throughout the house, they provide a significant portion of the owners' energy needs.

Other notable components of the project include: "smart" whole-house systems monitoring, hydronic radiant-floor heating, rainscreen siding, wastewater heat recovery, rainwater collection for reuse, bamboo flooring, and efficient lighting, appliances, and systems.



























Owner & Occupancy
* Owned and occupied by Ophir Ronen and Io Salant, Individual(s)
* Typically occupied by 3 people, 128 hours per person per week; and 6 visitors per week, 2 hours per visitor per week.

Building Programs
Indoor Spaces: Living quarters (100%)
Outdoor Spaces: Garden—decorative (40%), Garden—productive (40%), Parking (10%), Pedestrian/non-motorized vehicle path (10%)

Fordice Residence by OPA Design

Fordice Residence by OPA Design

Homes Renovation

This Fordice Residence was designed by OPA Design for their client who wanted to add two bedrooms and a garage to their existing ranch. They wanted to preserve the existing kitchen and master bedroom suite which they had recently remoldeled. They asked that a curve of some sort be integrated into the design and that the addition not look tacked on, so the challenge was to transform and integrate the existing with the new.


















The solution was a two story addition with a curved roof; a large two car garage below with a new master suite and guest bed and bath above. Much of the existing ranch remained intact. A portion of the existing roof was removed and covered with a taller curved roof, transforming the dimly lit and low ceilinged dining area into a bright double height space suitable for entertaining large groups of friends.














The new structure and the existing imitation stone siding were covered with Milestone, a plaster like product, and cement board panels. The existing hip roof was changed to a gable then covered with a metal roof.