l . a .  p a u l  &  a s s o c i a t e s

Sally Residence

Oakland, California  

Exterior

Interior

Drawings

 

Perched on the edge of a steep, precipitous cliff at the end of a small cul-de-sac, this contemporary 4,000 s.f., 4 bedroom, 3 bath custom residence maximizes the panoramic views of the Bay Area from each of the six levels within. A cantilevered entry bridge leads from the street to a two-story-high, formal entry with a monumental staircase linking the various levels. The upper level master suite and rooftop deck are separated from the lower bedroom areas by the living-dining levels between the two to maximize privacy. The top floor is reserved for the master bedroom-sitting room and has a skylit, marble bathroom and walk-in dressing area. The intermediate level features a huge, step-down living room with sunken fireplace nook, a formal dining room and a large gourmet kitchen with walk-in pantry. The lower level contains three bedrooms, a family playroom, bathrooms and utility areas. Large decks are placed at each level to provide outside entertainment areas on the steeply sloping lot. A soaring, three-story, solarium-enclosed gallery serves as a “bridge” to visually connect the various levels both vertically and horizontally. As a light-filled central atrium the solarium also becomes the focal point of the entire home, day or night. Twelve-foot ceilings, angled bays and large expanses of floor-to-ceiling windows further define and enhance the volumetric feeling of the formal spaces within.

The disastrous Oakland firestorm completely destroyed the owner’s former home and all her personal property. Two weeks later, the owner, a single woman, was out walking when she noticed the custom carved-wood door of the architect’s offices. Venturing inside, she found they had an immediate rapport and hired the architect on the spot to help her. The initial program dictated by the insurance company was to document the exact original house lost in the fire so its replacement value could be estimated to set a maximum budget for the new house.

Without plans or even photos of the previous house, they began a painstaking process of reconstructing it’s design. With lengthy and detailed conversations about what she could recall, the architect sketched and revised plans, elevations and details to recreate what was in her own memory. After two months, they had developed an amazingly accurate depiction of the original house from which an estimate of the replacement value was made.

The replacement house was estimated at $656,000 for the 3,500 square foot project ($187/sf) and design development and construction documents were begun. As the design was developed the architect showed the owner how changes could be made to expand, modify and upgrade her house while staying within the insurance company’s budget. The owner gave the architect carte-blanche to make the design decisions as long as they could be accommodated within the original budgeted cost. By value-engineering techniques and cost-effective design and construction, the architect was able to substantially enlarge and update the house to a more contemporary, livable home. During the actual construction, other changes were made in conjunction with the owner and contractor by careful value engineering to stay within the original budget.

Located on a steeply down sloping lot, the drilled pier footings were the only remaining construction after the fire, describing a structural footprint that was used in creating the new design. The house was redesigned to create a “fortress-like” outpost overlooking the cliff it sits above. Angled bays and large windows were newly designed to maximize the panoramic views available from every room in the house. A protected entrance walk was cantilevered over the cliff at the edge of the house to add drama to the arrival of guests. A dramatic two-story- high formal entry hall offers a glimpse of the various levels within.

The master suite and rooftop deck are separated from the family bedrooms by the more social living-dining-kitchen levels between the two to maximize privacy. The master suite has a fireplace, sitting room, skylight, marble and glass-block bathroom and a huge walk-in dressing area with built-in compartmentalized cabinetry. The middle level features a monumental, high-ceilinged living room with sunken and sheltered fireplace nook, a gracious formal dining room for large and a large gourmet kitchen with walk-in pantry. The lower level contains three bedrooms, a family playroom, bathrooms, utility areas and generously large storage areas.  

A soaring, three-story, solarium-enclosed gallery was designed to serve as a “bridge” to visually connect the various levels both vertically and horizontally. As a light-filled central atrium the solarium also becomes the focal point of the entire home, day or night. Twelve-foot ceilings, angled bays and large expanses of floor-to-ceiling windows bring in maximum views and further define and enhance the volumetric feeling of the spaces within.

The final design, almost completely different from the original, was enlarged to 4,000 square feet. The new project was built for the original budget, while adding an additional 500 square feet ($164/sf), without any cost overruns. Beginning construction in September 1992 the house was substantially completed in June 1993, the 256th property rebuilt after the disaster. Only 19 months after the firestorm, the owner was able to move back into her home, making both her and the insurance company overjoyed.