Mork-Ulnes Architects has recently completed the Silver Lining House, a stunning gabled home located in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood. Designed for architectural photographer Bruce Damonte and interior designer Alison Damonte, the house showcases their treasured belongings and supports their creative work.
The three-level home features a crisp, gabled form and is clad in strips of black-stained cedar. The design takes cues from the surrounding Victorian and Edwardian homes, while also breaking from tradition with its black-painted facade and ribbon windows that establish a visual connection between the interior and the neighborhood.
The home has a “flipped floor plan,” with private quarters situated on the lower levels and communal spaces on the upper levels. The ground level contains a garage, a primary bedroom suite, a laundry room, and a sunken garden. The first floor, which houses the main entrance, includes a guest suite, a home office, and intimate spaces for relaxation and entertainment. The top level functions as a penthouse-type space and features a kitchen, a dining area, a living room, and a powder room. A terrace on this level offers breathtaking views of the city.
Sustainability was a priority for the project, with the inclusion of features such as high-performance windows, exterior solar shading, and energy-efficient appliances. The home is also equipped with rooftop solar panels that generate electricity stored in a Powerwall battery system.
The completion of the Silver Lining House represents the end of a decade-long journey for the Damontes. After purchasing the property in 2010 and starting renovations, a fire in 2017 partially destroyed the house. Despite this setback, the couple remained committed to creating a home that encapsulated art and inspiration.
This project adds to Mork-Ulnes Architects’ portfolio of innovative designs, which includes an eight-sided house in Oregon built with cross-laminated timber and a California residence protected from wildfires by its Corten steel cladding.
[Source: Mork-Ulnes Architects]