Before & After: this home is now an architectural marvel
This family home in sunny California is now completely unrecognisable after an expansive architectural renovation
This family home in sunny California is now completely unrecognisable after an expansive architectural renovation has transformed it into a modern home fit for 21st century living.
Situated in San Francisco’s Marina district, the original 1930s three-bedroom Spanish Revival home was expanded both vertically and horizontally to encompass six bedrooms, totalling 4,738 square footage of interior space.
Throughout the renovation, carried out by designers at Spiegel Aihara Workshop (SAW), the homeowners’ desire for more space for their family was an important consideration. To do this, architects built horizontally and vertically by remediating the contaminated earth below the home caused by a local landfill site residue and a former gas plant.
Naming the project Wraparound House (influenced by the curved design throughout), SAW made an expansive architectural renovation of the property and landscape, embracing Art Deco inspired archways, spiral staircases, and curved lines. In excavating the top layer of soil, they also decided to replace the house’s foundations, modernizing the foundations below the house with a thick mat slab.
Architecturally, the Wraparound House lifts the ground plane from an extended backyard up through a series of terraces, all the way up to the roof deck with panoramic views of the city and bay. Dan Spiegel, architect and founding partner of SAW, says: ‘While many buildings have terraces or balconies, we set out to maintain a complete continuity of a new ground across the entire house ensuring that every roof was not so much the top of something, but the bottom of something – a new ground.’
BEFORE THE RENOVATION
(Image credit: SAW Designs)
Although the home had seen several upgrades and improvements, the interior was still dated its architecture unremarkable. In the kitchen, dark wooden kitchen cabinets and white glossy countertops made for a uniform space that lacked character.
(Image credit: SAW Designs)
A vaulted ceiling, arched doors and windows, and traditional wooden beams in the living room emanated the Spanish feel intended by the original architects, but the furnishings failed to compliment the space. The large space with its high ceiling wasn’t used to its full potential, while the color scheme and textiles lacked any cohesion.
(Image credit: SAW Designs)
The pink and green tiles in the bathroom looked dated and dingy. The entire room was in desperate need of a modern makeover to make it feel clean and fresh.
(Image credit: SAW Designs)
A once grand wooden staircase appeared drab and mundane thanks to the clashing patterned retro wallpaper.
AFTER THE RENOVATION
(Image credit: Paul Dyer)
After designers at Spiegel Aihara Workshop (opens in new tab) (SAW) put their skills to the test, the home’s exterior is a architectural masterpiece with an interior to match (as designed by Heidi Kim, of White Space Design (opens in new tab)).
Each level of the house had a different focus: on the rooftop it was highlighting the distant views to the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge; the interconnected kids’ bedrooms enjoy direct access to the yard via the external spiral staircase; the living room overlooks the backyard from above as a verdant backdrop to outdoor dining; and at the primary suite, the glass walls are a major source of light for the bedroom.
The circular lawn and garden path complement the curved edges of the home’s exterior walls while also offering a visual contrast to the angular lines on the rooftop wall. ‘The rounded edges of the garden path play in the perpetual motion game, forming a scooter/bike track, and the rounded corners of the family room gradually guide you out to the terrace,’ says Spiegel.
He continues: ‘Meanwhile, the master bathroom is conceived of as a thickened window for the bedroom, balcony-like and perched over the bay. It doesn’t quite look like it, but the home works a bit like a mobius strip in that way.’
(Image credit: Paul Dyer)
The dining area is now a cohesive and calming space thanks to the neutral color scheme and minimalist design. Architecturally, the home is a feast for the eyes, with curved edges blending seamlessly alongside angular features for a surprising yet satisfying contrast.
Most notable of all is the central interior spiralling staircase which forms the core of the house. The white lines cast subtle shadows adding dimension to the simple color scheme while the softer texture of the wooden stairs add warmth to the space.
(Image credit: Paul Dyer)
Continuing the curved theme in the kitchen is the marble island countertop for a convivial feel reminiscent of the home’s original Art Deco design period (also evoked by the beaded lights).
Fun and vibrancy has been injected into this central space with the help of the light dusty blue cabinetry that marries beautifully with the dark wood of the island and bar stools. Brass finishes on the taps and stools tie the space together for a cool yet sophisticated vibe.
(Image credit: Paul Dyer)
The living room is a luxurious space for relaxing with the family. Aesthetically, the elegant feel is achieved with the aid of the studded leather couch and the charming beaded chandelier lighting. Meanwhile, the arched doors, windows and built-in shelving evoke nod to the home’s 1930s heritage and also give the illusion of a larger space.
‘When we cut the arch in the living room in half and began pulling the corners apart, the Spanish Revival arch became the Streamline Moderne wall,’ explains Spiegel. ‘We wanted to embrace this link, and, of course, we found these forms to be beautiful.’
Compared the softer and more delicate colors throughout the rest of home, the dark blue-grey walls of the living room help to make it a more relaxing space. Yet, to prevent the room feeling too enclosed, the all-white beamed ceiling and skirting introduce plenty of light.
(Image credit: Paul Dyer)
Pairing modern furnishing – like the tall bedside lamps – with more traditional details, – like the guilt framed mirror – make the bedroom feel fresh and new while still retaining class and sophistication. The alcove feature wall of a gradient mountain scape is a fun detail that adds character to a modern bedroom which is truly unique to the homeowners.
(Image credit: Paul Dyer)
Traditional inspiration is evident in the ornate black and gold patterned wallpaper in the modern bathroom which is expertly contrasted with contemporary finishes, such as the taps. The curvature of the sink and the soft edges of the tap are reflected in the arched mirror for an illusory effect.