Jensen Architects

Fronting Alamo Square Park, a historic landmark within San Francisco, this three-story residence is a house with two faces. From the street, the original 1889 facade was faithfully restored, and appears to have been dipped in a modern bath of silver paint, hinting at the transformation within. The rear façade reveals the building’s new identity in a multi-layered composition of sliding aluminum screens and glass. Upon entering, the house has been punctured with light from above and is organized around a sculptural staircase. The form of the stair is a twisted volume, alternating wood-clad solids with light-filled voids. The stair culminates at the roof with sweeping views that connect back to the historic city and the Bay beyond.