Last month we attended a residential architecture tour as part of Reinvention 2013 in San Francisco. I appreciated the different types of projects on the tour, ranging from high-end and high-detail to experimental and unconventional. Perhaps what I found most interesting in these projects were the elements of sustainability. The architects created amazing spaces working within small square footages, and in some cases on small budgets. Some projects achieved LEED Platinum certification while others aimed for Passive House and Net-Zero Energy. Each of the projects was successful and unique, and I left the conference with a renewed commitment to the process of design and sustainable architecture.
The Butterfly House | Russian Hill, San Francisco, CA
Architect: John Maniscalco
I was struck by the indoor-outdoor relationships of this house. The architecture connected both to private spaces on the lower level and to views of San Francisco above.
Beaver Street Reprise | Castro District, San Francisco, CA
I appreciated the simplicity and straightforward approach of this residence. The detailing was simple and spaces felt warm and inviting. The rooftop terrace was comfortable and it felt like an extension of the interior living space.
Mission House | Mission District, San Francisco, CA
Architect: INTERSTICE Architects
