Color Rush

FOUGERON ARCHITECTURE COMPLETELY REBUILT A ROW HOUSE WITH THREE BEDROOM OF A VICTORIAN BUILT OVER A CENTURY AGO AND PREVIOUSLY UNTOUCHED SINCE THE 1920S IN SAN FRANCISCO’S NOE VALLEY.

In order to create a modern home, the existing interior structure had to be completely reorganized. Fougeron Architecture reversed the original flow, turning the back of the site into the main living area. Each floor is placed between three slots so that the home connects vertically rather than horizontally. Traditional Victorian homes often are poorly lit and are disconnected from floor to floor but by suspending floors, there is brightness and fluidity throughout the house. In this exceptionally narrow lot, solar orientation and natural light diffusion were paramount for making sure the home felt warm and open.

In order to maximize the small footprint of the house, the ground floor was excavated at the rear extension. The back façade, which is tilted at 9 degrees, is built of a custom fieldglazed steel frame with insulated glass. The angle over two stories–a canted facade– maximizes space and square footage in the house. Large sliding doors opens the living room, dining room, and kitchen to the outdoor space. A limestone floor and a blue fence and cabinets blur the line between inside and outside.

At the top floor, the master bedroom windows, and deck are oriented towards distant views of the San Francisco Hills ensuring both a wonderful view and natural light. As in the rest of the house, the design is simple and minimalist, but the room is characterized by the presence of pink armchairs which together with the wood create a warm atmosphere. Separated by a wall, the bathroom in wood has a glamorous touch thanks to the pouf, also pink.