14 Best Midcentury Renovations Setting the Bar in San Francisco

These renovated homes in the San Francisco Bay Area stay true to their midcentury roots while reaping the benefits of modernization.

Not only was extra living space necessary for the growing family of four, but the existing house also failed to take advantage of the striking views that drew the couple to the site. The homeowners tapped architect Malcolm Davis of San Francisco–based Malcolm Davis Architecture to redesign and expand the dwelling without damaging the many established oak trees.

Whether it be an Eichler in need of a new kitchen, or a hillside home suffering from years of muddy remodels, these renovations make the best of their midcentury bones—as well as their scenic locales in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.

Midcentury Mash-Up in Russian Hill

In 2005, Gretchen Rice and Kevin Farnham acquired a 1908 home in San Francisco that had been remodeled in the 1940s by well-known local architect Henry Hill. Their series of small interventions have kept the design intent of the 1940s renovation—including an enclosed atrium, wood wall paneling, and unusual built-ins—while updating the home for contemporary living. In the dining area, Metropolitan side chairs by Jeffrey Bernett for B&B Italia surround a Surf Table designed by Carlo Colombo for Zanotta.

In 2005, Gretchen Rice and Kevin Farnham acquired a 1908 home in San Francisco that had been remodeled in the 1940s by well-known local architect Henry Hill. Their series of small interventions have kept the design intent of the 1940s renovation—including an enclosed atrium, wood wall paneling, and unusual built-ins—while updating the home for contemporary living. In the dining area, Metropolitan side chairs by Jeffrey Bernett for B&B Italia surround a Surf Table designed by Carlo Colombo for Zanotta.

Photo: Misha Gravenor

A Midcentury Remodel With a Dreamy Backyard and a Revamped Kitchen

A home in Belmont underwent a transformation by building Lab for a young and growing family. The renovation upgraded existing interiors, enlarged the master bedroom, and updated the home's spacious outdoor areas. In a bold and unusual stroke, the clients decided to forgo a formal dining area. Instead, they opted for an eat-in kitchen with custom-built benches and a live-edge waterfall table; the kitchen looks out and opens directly onto the backyard.

A home in Belmont underwent a transformation by building Lab for a young and growing family. The renovation upgraded existing interiors, enlarged the master bedroom, and updated the home’s spacious outdoor areas. In a bold and unusual stroke, the clients decided to forgo a formal dining area. Instead, they opted for an eat-in kitchen with custom-built benches and a live-edge waterfall table; the kitchen looks out and opens directly onto the backyard. 

Scott Hargis

Midcentury Minimal Studio

Constructed in the 1960s and named after famed California builder Joe Eichler, this outdated one-bedroom was renovated into a minimalist studio apartment with open sight lines to the double-exposure windows.

Constructed in the 1960s and named after famed California builder Joe Eichler, this outdated one-bedroom was renovated into a minimalist studio apartment with open sight lines to the double-exposure windows.

Photo: Knock Architecture + Design

See the full story on Dwell.com: 14 Best Midcentury Renovations Setting the Bar in San Francisco

Similar Posts

  • The Farm

    Jonathan Feldman and his wife Lisa Lougee were determined to create a contemporary, sustainable, and functional home for their family within the building constraints of urban San Francisco. The original structure, built in 1905, was a New England brick and shingle style residence sitting next to an overgrown lot. It was given the tongue-in-cheek name The Farm, due to the rarity of backyards and outdoor living spaces in the city. “We fell in love with the farmhouse charm of the home” says Jonathan, “Lisa and I enjoyed imagining how the house must have looked out in the countryside of San Francisco in the 1900’s; we started joking around and calling it The Farm and it stuck!” To further the play on the home’s name, the Feldman family often lovingly refers to their band of rescue animals as their “flock.” In order to transform the older house into an outstandingly sustainable, modern home, the structure was essentially rebuilt from the inside out. The clients both loved the character and grace of the older home and wanted to preserve its visual continuity; their excitement towards the historic home combined with their conflicting design styles ultimately directed the course of the home’s restoration. Before the ambitious remodel, the house was a closed-off box. The new design opened the floor plan, flooding the interiors with natural light through a new central stair topped with expansive skylights. The basement was also transformed to include what is now a usable rear yard & deck. The house achieved LEED Platinum with an abundance of sustainable features, many of which are subtly hidden. Two types of water re-use systems were implemented on the property; rain water and grey water harvesting, with the tanks concealed below the rear deck. An HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) system provides the home with clean air without energy loss. All materials are sustainably sourced and non-toxic and the house also features water and electricity monitoring, easily accessible by panels throughout the home and smartphone technology. By striving for excellence in sustainable architecture while incorporating the design aesthetics of all members involved, the team for The Farm has been able to create an elegant structure perfectly fitting for unique and forward-thinking San Francisco.

  • Permanent Weekend House on Outskirts of Geneva: Old Chalet Finds New Expression!

    A weekend house is luxury that we all long for; much like a holiday house that takes away from the constant rush of city life. Built in the early 1900’s, the Permanent Weekend House designed by Comte-Meuwly was initially on the outskirts of Geneva before the spreading city engulfed it down the years. Today, the […]

    You’re reading Permanent Weekend House on Outskirts of Geneva: Old Chalet Finds New Expression!, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.