This is a proposal for a 4-story, 6-unit multi-family project on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, CA. Residential units occur over ground floor parking and a commercial/retail space. This neighborhood has been targeted to become a pedestrian friendly commercial corridor.

This new, 4,000 square foot residence, sitting on the shoulder of Mt. Tamalpais, has 270 degree views extending from the Bay Bridge to the peak. Cascading over the brow of a ridge it provides clear views of the amazing landscape without affecting it too greatly itself. 

On the street side, low forms present the numerous pedestrians who regularly walk the neighborhood with undisturbed sight lines across the property. To reduce the building's volume, parking and house are pulled apart, creating a variety of outdoor spaces that extend the breadth of the rooms inside.

These various areas, reinforced by terracing,  help screen the views to and from the close neighbors, while providing a transition from indigenous chaparral to more curated landscaping at an interior courtyard.

Energy efficiency and generation are integral to the design. Innovative framing using Structurally Insulated Panels (S.I.P.s), overhangs and rain screen construction, help building performance and fire protection. This is an important consideration for a site in an Wildlands Urban Interface zone, where potential for catastrophic fire is substantial. Solar panels over the carport and house create nearly all required power and domestic hot water.

This Miramar Drive residence offers stunning views of Half Moon Bay and Mavericks Beach. The lot is just under an acre and is the last parcel before the Rancho Corral de Tierra Open Space.

4,500 square feet are spread over three volumes. Two rectangular forms at grade contain living spaces on one side and a garage and in-law unit on the other. A private patio is created in the void between the two. Spanning those is a dramatic upper level for bedrooms and offices.