San Francisco III by Gast Architects
San Francisco III turns a 1960s hillside house in San Francisco, CA, United States into a contemporary retreat shaped by Gast Architects. The renovation works with the steep lot and long views while coordinating with Bjørn Design on interiors that support aging in place, from an elevator and concealed lift to a generous outdoor room. Everyday life settles into a calmer, more legible rhythm across the reworked levels.
Morning light slides across the sloping ceiling, catching the warm grain of the wood and the rust-colored upholstery before drifting toward the glazed wall and distant hills. From the hillside deck, the house reads as a quiet band of gray siding and glass, its low profile threaded between mature trees and layered gardens.
This house is a thorough reworking of a 1960s residence in San Francisco, CA, United States by Gast Architects, with interiors developed alongside Bjørn Design. The project is a private home yet also a long-term plan for aging in place, complete with an added ADU at the lower level. Every move attends to daily routines: moving groceries from the garage, tending herbs at waist height, or climbing from deck to dining room without strain.
Rewriting The Hillside Approach
Arrival begins at the newly enclosed garage, where a concealed lift rises directly to the main living level, turning what was once a stair climb into an easy vertical link. Above, new retaining walls carve out terraces that hold planting beds and define a broad outdoor room edged by gray decking. Circulation shifts from steep, exposed paths to measured ramps and steps, so movement across the hillside stays steady and predictable.
Living Areas For Daily Rhythm
Inside, a simple volumetric strategy keeps the living room relaxed and open, with tall white walls and a continuous wood ceiling running toward the view. Generous glass sliders connect seating and terrace, so conversation can drift outside without losing sightlines or comfort. Deep chairs in rich, warm tones gather around low tables, while a wall-mounted sculptural installation of small forms sets an animated backdrop for quiet evenings.
Cooking, Dining, And Hosting
The kitchen sits at the center of the plan, brightened by skylights and a large window that frames garden foliage as a changing mural. Pale wood cabinetry and white countertops keep the room calm, while open shelving and a suspended pot rack place everyday tools within easy reach. An island anchors cooking and conversation, guiding movement toward the adjacent dining area where a long table faces both art and greenery, supporting everything from solitary breakfasts to larger gatherings.
Private Rooms And Added ADU
Bedrooms maintain the same restrained palette, with wood ceilings, soft textiles, and large windows oriented toward the trees and city beyond. Furnishings stay low and tactile, keeping circulation clear so getting in and out of bed remains uncomplicated. Bathrooms use large-format stone surfaces, linear lighting, and streamlined fixtures to reduce visual clutter while providing generous counter length and storage. Below, the added ADU extends the home’s program, giving flexibility for guests, caregivers, or rental use without disrupting the calm of the main level.
Outdoor Room As Everyday Stage
The deck acts as an outdoor living hall, edged by planters, dining furniture, and the table-height herb garden that invites tending without bending. Wind protection turns the terrace into a reliable setting for meals, reading, or gardening, even on cooler San Francisco days. From this platform, sightlines reach back to the house and out to the surrounding treetops, tying interior routines to weather, season, and light.
As day fades, interior and exterior rooms read as one continuous sequence, stitched together by the steady ceiling line and consistent material palette. The former 1960s shell now holds a clear framework for everyday life, tuned to aging bodies and shifting needs. What remains constant is the gentle climb of the hill, met by measured pathways, soft finishes, and rooms scaled for long-term use.
Photography courtesy of Gast Architects
Visit Gast Architects
