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Fine Homebuilding – ReModel of the Year

Blog FHB BestRemodel

Our Zero Energy House was awarded the Best Remodel by Fine Homebuilding Magazine.

Best Remodel: Row House Recharged

A historic home in the heart of San Francisco maintains its traditional facade

A San Francisco row house was badly in need of a renovation. In addition, the owners wanted a more modern home for their growing family, and they wanted their house to meet its own energy needs plus those of an electric car. Although city preservation requirements limited the changes that could be made to the house’s Edwardian facade, architects Ross Levy and Karen Andersen found that they could give the facade a simple facelift while transforming the house behind it. Because row houses can feel cramped and dark, Levy and Andersen brought light inside and created the illusion of space with three strategies:

(1) defining spaces with details, not walls

(2) integrating glazing where it would have the most impact; and

(3) using a central stairway with a skylight at the top as a lightwell

They achieved net-zero energy use by insulating the roof with open-cell spray foam and the walls with an inch of closed-cell foam covered with fiberglass batts, making the house all-electric, and powering it with an 8kw photovoltaic array. A chart demonstrates the economics of this net-zero home and estimates the payback time for the energy-efficiency extras to be nine years. For its successful bonding of preservation with performance while also reflecting its owners’ lifestyle, this home is FHB’s remodel of the year for 2013.

From Fine Homebuilding #235 (Houses)
pp. 42-47 April 25, 2013

Randall

Randall 06

Working with the historic envelope, we created a three dimensional series of spaces to unify the experience of this vertical home in San Francisco. An open stairwell brings light down four stories from the skylit penthouse and provides a heat-stack for natural ventilation and circulation. This sculptural stair travels through the void, arriving first at a bedroom level and then at the main living spaces, continuing to the roof where a large deck enjoys downtown views. A bridge joins the kitchen and dining area to the backyard creating continuity between the interior and exterior living spaces. The terraced garden acts as an outdoor room connecting the master suite to the rear yard.

• AIA San Francisco Home Tours 2009.

Queen of Mirabel

Unique Renovation of a Historic Structure including an Innovative Façade

An innovative garage door made from a bay window maintains the original Queen Anne facade on Mirabel Street, San Francisco
This custom garage door design is fit for a Queen (Anne)!

As a Queen Anne Victorian, we were able to preserve and restore the decorative façade of this residence, while completely reconfiguring the interior to honor our client’s contemporary lifestyle.

The hinged “bay window” garage door is a primary component in this innovative renovation. Given the parameters of preserving the historic character, we chose motorized swinging doors which were specially constructed to match the original bay window.

In contrast to the exterior appearance which we maintained as close to the original as possible, the inside represents a complete re-design. We combined the upper two units into one residence, creating an opportunity to open the space, and allowing light to fill the house from front to back. An expansive North-facing window and door system frames the view of downtown and connects the living spaces to a large deck. The skylit stair winds through the house — beginning as a grounded feature of the entry, and then becoming more transparent as the wood and steel structure are exposed and illuminated.

Publications:
• Fine Homebuilding, July 2011 “A Garage Fit for a Queen” by Maureen Friedman

Do you dig this custom garage door? Need an innovative solution for an upcoming residential or commercial project? We’d be happy to guide you through this design process and work with you to create a functional, and unique building that fits your vision and needs.

Schedule your complimentary 20min consultation so we can learn about your project, no matter what phase of the planning process you’re in.

Let’s Talk

About Levy Art + Architecture

Ross Levy, licensed architect and principal at Levy Art + Architecture, has been creating innovative architectural designs that support modern lifestyles for nearly 30 years. With his background as a building contractor, he brings a craftsman’s perspective and attention to detail to every unique project. Ross completed graduate work at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, is a founding member of The Viet Nam Green Building Council, and has served for many years on the AIA Public Policy committee.

Levy Art + Architecture’s work has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects and featured in publications such as Architectural Digest, SPACES, Dwell, Dezeen, and Fine Homebuilding.