Old Bernal House by Feldman Architecture

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Old Bernal House is a 1860’s cottage in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood that has been redesigned by Feldman Architecture into a contemporary residential design by kept the façade and envelope of the existing structure and added a contemporary, but unobtrusive, addition – a narrow, ten-foot-wide wing that contains a garage, bedroom suite, and two studies.

The architects charge was to repair, expand, and modernize the small, dark house while maintaining the rustic charm of the original building. The architects has cut away the roof and upper floor in the center of the house to create a central light core that washes a stone wall and illuminates the kitchen and living room. Additionally, the second floor office is open to the study below. Two-story high bookshelves connect the stacked work spaces and are flanked by a double-height window wall. These windows and two oversized sliding doors create a strong connection to the backyard.

Other elements that contribute to the light and open feel of the house include thin metal handrails, exposed ceiling joists, and cantilevered wood stair treads. The careful mixing of rough stone and wood with clean glass and metal breathes new life into the once-neglected structure.