A HUMBLE BEGINING

When I bought this house it was pretty much unchanged from it's original history of being a fisherman's shack. This coastal community was an easy place for San Franciscans to make a quick get away. This was probably not a primary residence in 1954 when it was built.

THE PROCESS

After living in this house for about a year I started the design process in tandem with the city building permit process.

Since the house is so small and fits so tight on the property it doesn't conform to the building codes. For that reason I need to apply for a variance any time I want to get a permit to build.

I managed to get approved to add a garage and a new laundry closet. The laundry closet is what creates the new bump out framing the front door. This new front entry, very intentionally, creates a more formal entrance.

TRANSITION FROM OUT TO IN

The transition from the outside to the inside of a home is very important. Not only is it the first thing that you see it is also a space that should make you feel welcome and at ease.

Not matter how small every house needs to acknowledge this transition. This tiny change in material helps this transition flow from outside to inside. On the inside the same tile creates a tiny "mud room" experience.

The San Francisco Chronicle did an article on my house. I think they did it mostly as a counterpoint to all the articles on huge unaffordable mansions that they were doing.

A CENTRAL STOVE

This is the stove that came with the house. It is actually a great stove. I designed the stove surround so that it would be easy to remove cabinets and put in a larger stove if it ever became desired.

When I moved in there was a wall that enclosed the kitchen. That was the first thing that I removed in order to open up the whole floor plan.

LIVING IN CONSTRUCTION

I lived with the kitchen torn apart for a long, long time. Everything was still functional but not very attractive. I can get away with this since I live by myself.

SMALL IS EFFICIENT

Although tiny, this kitchen is very efficient and has plenty of storage for me.

It can be a very efficient work space because there isn't much space between all of the stations that you need to use.