San Francisco house with glass flip facade

Located in slopping topography, this San Francisco house was reconnected to striking landscape, light and views through the glass flip facade in order to captures all advantages of its natural and urban site.

Architects: Fougeron Architecture
Photographer: Joe Fletcher
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA

According to the architects: Like many San Francisco homes, this one poorly integrated its many levels with each other and with its sloping topography and solar orientation. Reversing its reading, we recast the back of the house as its main facade with a faceted custom-built glass wall. Divided into three vertical panels that push in and out, this dynamic prism begins animating light and spectacular views to the communal living spaces, now placed at the rear. Bedrooms were flipped to the front.

We also rationalized the circulation, replacing disconnected staircases with one rear stair that smoothly links all three levels and the garden below. The street-level entry now leads to a generous foyer that is open to this staircase and to a guest room/den. The open plan of the second floor allows the kitchen and living room space to look down into this den and outward to the striking city, bay, and garden vista beyond.

> Modern townhouse with central courtyard
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keyword: townhouse