Strata
San Francisco, California : : 2020
In San Francisco’s Richmond District, our clients set about remodeling a two unit building with an effective blank slate of a back yard. We were brought on to create an engaging outdoor space for a young family to reside in the lower unit, and furnish a roof deck with views of the nearby Marin Headlands.
A firepit and heated seating create a warm invitation for outdoor hangouts in this foggy corner of the city. A dining table and grill host gatherings for those seasons when the sun blazes late into the afternoon.
Inspired by the layers of folded rock that form the nearby hills, paving striations extend into and are broken apart by plantings, evoking the natural processes playing out on nearby coastal bluffs. Wood features remain unfinished and are allowed to naturally weather for a windswept coastal vibe.
The plant palette utilizes denizens of the California coastal chaparral community. By choosing plants naturally at home in the fog and sandy soils, the garden thrives in a challenging environment. A wood planter offers space for the residents to get their hands in the dirt, an adjacent fence the perfect spot to install a cherished sculpture.
Up top a roof deck is likewise warmed by fire and heated seating for enjoying the views of city lights well past sunset.
