Design Ideas #3

While working on the development of two beachfront homes in Santa Barbara years ago, I came across a memorable article in |Sunset Magazine| that featured this modern California home. Designed and constructed for their own personal residence by San Diego-based architects Robert Davis Jr. and Laurie Perriello Davis, this thoughtfully designed minimalist home incorporated sustainable, yet affordable building materials to keep the development cost below $250 per square foot. With architect fees that can range from 8% to 12% of a project’s construction budget, it definitely helps to have an architect in the family. I love this home for its open layout, its exterior of stucco and wood, and the large patio with outdoor fireplace. |Davis and Davis Architecture|

Design Ideas #2

You may have seen this house featured in Dwell Magazine or noticed it in parts of season one of the Showtime series Californication, either way, this memorable design exemplifies some of the best elements of Californian modern home design. Architects David Hertz and wife Stacy Fong built this Venice, California home for their personal residence, drawing from Balinese influences to give the home the intended resort-like feel. Sections of the home are connected via bridges and walkways that open onto a central courtyard and lap pool, creating an open layout that blends with the surrounding outdoors.

Other amenites include a home theater, exercise room, firepit, and outdoor kitchen. The firepit lounge area in the courtyard is a great focal point for the house, and the accordian door seen to the right of the firepit helps to open up the interior space to the outdoors. The large wood frame windows enable natural light to flood the interior spaces and contrast nicely to the treated concrete walls. While the overall look of this home spells modern design, some of the elements seen here like the the open layout, accordian door system, and the blending of outdoor and indoor living spaces have been incorporated into the design of the Project Noe house. Pictures and background on the Hertz-Fong home were cited from this article in |Dwell Magazine|. |David Hertz Architects|

Demolition February ’09

The project commenced in mid-February, and started with the demolition of parts of the house and the excavation of a good portion of the land at the rear of the property. During demolition of the rear of the house, the crew discovered some pre-existing fire damage and an inadequate brick foundation for much of the house. Roughly 95% of the existing house is being demolished, leaving a partial wall and a portion of the garage the only original remnants of the previous home.

Project Beginnings

In light of the downturn in the economy, it’s reassuring to know that home renovation projects that help to improve a neighborhood are still moving forward in this city. Project Noe chronicles the re-development of a single-family home in the Noe Valley district of San Francisco; an area within the city that has experienced significant growth in popularity for working professionals with families.

Noe Valley has its roots as a working class neighborhood of row houses intertwined with small local businesses, but has quickly evolved over the years into an upscale neighborhood of high-end homes that surround the retail boutiques and restaurants along 24th Street. A local farmers’ market and a new Whole Foods Market on 24th Street add to the appeal and convenience.

While being close walking distance to the shops on 24th, the Project Noe house is ideally located on a quiet block on 23rd Street and Sanchez, surrounded by beautifully renovated multi-million dollar homes. From a restored Queen Anne next door to the timeless Craftsman a few doors down, the various design periods create a charming canvas of unique homes that blend nicely with the design elements of the Project Noe house.

Features of the re-development project include:

• 4,000 SF, 4 bedrooms, 5 bathroom
• Master Suite that features a large terrace with indoor/outdoor fireplace
• Open layout connects the living room, kitchen, dining areas and family room
• Gourmet kitchen with high end finishes and appliances
• Entertainment level with media room, full bar/kitchen, and wine storage
• Rear patio with built in outdoor kitchen and landscaped grounds
• Au’pair unit with separate entrance
• Two car tandem garage
• Four-person elevator
• Additional storage space
• Home automation system

Stay tuned for project updates and pictures.