Nove Residences in San Francisco, California by Handel Architects

Article source: Handel Architects

Located in the heart of the Mission District of San Francisco, this urban infill project presents a unique opportunity to develop three adjacent lots, a rarity in this densely populated neighborhood. The three lots are all adjacent to each other and are also through-blocks from Guerrero Street to Ames Street.

Image Courtesy © Handel Architects

• Architects: Handel Architects
• Project: Nove Residences
• Location: San Francisco, California
• Completion Date: 2010
• Partner in Charge: Glenn Rescalvo, AIA

Image Courtesy © Handel Architects

Each lot is only 24 feet wide and 117 feet long, making them narrower than the average lot. The adjacent properties are a large church and a series of Victorian homes circa 1896.  There are a total of three units on each lot: two units in the building along Guerrero Street and one unit in the building on Ames Street. Between the two buildings, the architects created a common outdoor garden space to foster a sense of community for the residences.

Image Courtesy © Handel Architects

The units on Ames Street are multi-level three-bedrooms with a private garage and the Guerrero Street building consists of a two-bedroom unit and a three-bedroom unit with a penthouse master bedroom and shared parking garage. The square footages range from 1200 to 1600.

Image Courtesy © Handel Architects

The exterior combines the use of Hardiplank, stucco, frosted glass, aluminum, and Ipe lumber. The project is scheduled to receive LEED Platinum and has utilized a number of sustainable design components.  Among them the project has incorporated rooftop solar planes, radiate flooring, thermal broken window system, blown in blanket wall insulation as well as permeable exterior landscape surfaces to name a few of the many sustainable features that has brought citywide attention to this project.

Image Courtesy © Handel Architects

The overall architectural design intent of the project was to create a design that respects the scale and proportions of the adjacent Victorians while still expressing the contemporary modernism design qualities that the firm is known for.  Window bays and balconies shield within a rain-screen feature added a delicate texture to the façade’s architecture while re-emphasizing the verticality and detailing of the neighboring structures. Along with the use of simple modern materials the resultant project blends elegantly into its surrounding structures and helps complete the rhythmic quality which is strongly represented along this beautiful streetscape of San Francisco.

Working closely with the community the architects were able to create a project that not only met the high expectations of the neighbors but also adapted the scale of the existing urban fabric. More importantly, a unique style of architecture was created to fully embrace the contemporary lifestyle of San Francisco.

Image Courtesy © Handel Architects

Tags: California, San Francisco

Category: Residential

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