Architects: Feldman Architecture
Area: 2,995 ft²
Year: 2017
Photography: Joe Fletcher
Interiors: Feldman Architecture
Landscape Architect: Ground Studio Landscape Architecture
Landscape Contractor: Frank & Grossman
Lighting Design: Kim Cladas Lighting Design
Structural Engineering: Strandberg Engineering
Contractor: Upscale Construction
Cabinetmaker: Eby Construction
Manufacturers: Cosentino, Dornbracht, Gaggenau, Vode, Miele, Subzero/Wolf, Abbaka, Ann Sacks, BlueStar, CTM, Eby Construction, Fantini, Fleetwood, IGR, InSinkErator, Jeld-Wen, Matter, New Ravenna
Furnishings and Lighting Fixtures from: DZine, Coup d’Etat, Flexform SF, BDDW, The Future Perfect, Matter, HEWNX
City: San Francisco, California
Country: United States
Located in San Francisco’s Twin Peaks neighborhood, the Twin Peaks Residence reimagines a 1964 midcentury home originally designed by architect Albert Lanier. Feldman Architecture’s 2017 renovation honors the home’s heritage while adapting it for contemporary living. The 2,995-square-foot dwelling embraces expansive city views and integrates closely with its steeply sloped garden. Reorganizing the home’s circulation around a new rear stair, the architects created fluid connections between levels and enhanced access to the outdoors. The material palette of white oak, plaster, and reclaimed wood fosters warmth and refinement, while custom detailing, discreet lighting, and artisanal craftsmanship enrich the spatial experience. This renovation restores the home’s modernist essence, balancing midcentury character with a calm, sophisticated sensibility.
Feldman Architecture’s renovation of the Twin Peaks Residence transforms a historic San Francisco home by Albert Lanier into a contemporary retreat that preserves its midcentury legacy. Perched high in the Twin Peaks neighborhood, the house commands sweeping views across the city and toward the Golden Gate Bridge. The architects sought to retain the spirit of Lanier’s 1964 design while reinterpreting it through a modern lens that prioritizes light, openness, and a stronger connection to the landscape.
The redesign began with a fundamental spatial intervention: relocating the central stairway to the rear of the home. This adjustment clarified circulation, introduced vertical continuity across three levels, and opened the interiors to natural light. The reconfiguration allowed each floor to assume a distinct role—the entry and garages on the first level, private bedrooms and a garden on the second, and communal living spaces above. By shifting the kitchen to the rear, the architects established a seamless transition to an outdoor deck that overlooks the lush, terraced yard. The kitchen’s reclaimed white oak countertop, crafted by wood artisan Evan Shively, exemplifies the project’s dedication to natural materials and fine craftsmanship.
Throughout the residence, subtle refinements transform its atmosphere without erasing its history. Original wood elements were carefully restained to achieve a soft, neutral tone, while high-gloss plaster walls in the bathrooms provide an elegant contrast. A custom wood screen filters daylight and ensures privacy, contributing to a sense of calm throughout the interior. Above, the triangular roof peaks were reimagined to create a loft illuminated by skylights that open to a rooftop deck, enhancing ventilation and offering expansive views of the surrounding cityscape.
Outside, Ground Studio Landscape Architecture collaborated with Feldman Architecture to shape a series of tiered outdoor spaces that respect the site’s natural topography. Rather than flattening the slope, the design introduces garden terraces, a fire pit, and generous seating areas connected by new stairs. Beneath the kitchen deck, a shaded retreat now houses a spa with an outdoor shower and cold plunge, extending the sense of retreat into the landscape. A glass corridor linking the master bedroom and bathroom doubles as a compact workspace overlooking the garden, further reinforcing the connection between interior and exterior realms.
Carefully chosen fixtures and finishes from manufacturers such as Cosentino, Dornbracht, Miele, and Sub-Zero/Wolf complement the architectural restraint with understated sophistication. Lighting design by Kim Cladas Lighting Design enhances the material depth and atmosphere without distraction. Through its sensitive balance of preservation and innovation, the Twin Peaks Residence exemplifies Feldman Architecture’s ability to translate midcentury ideals into a timeless expression of modern urban living.
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Project Location
Address: San Francisco, California, United States
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
