Remodeling San Francisco: Historic SOMA Loft for Live, Work, Art Making and Entertaining
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) March 26, 2014 -- How do you take an historic brick warehouse and re-appropriate it for a truly modern and highly functional live-work-event space? This was the challenge faced by general building contractors Jeff King & Company in remodeling a San Francisco loft measuring 8,000 square feet (and bearing signs of past use as a commercial laundry and fashion atelier).
“This was an exceptional project not only for the integrity of the historic structure, but for the homeowner’s vision to live, create art, and host events in the same space,” says president and founder Jeff King. “What we ended up with is an incredibly versatile space that straddles the line between private and communal, modern and historic, industrial and homey.”
Jeff King & Company collaborated closely with Boor Bridges Architecture and Geremia Design to execute the client’s vision. Downstairs, the open layout was preserved to allow for workshop-meets-art gallery functionality. Twenty-six foot high atrium ceilings invite large sculptural and lighting installations, while clean white walls are perfect for hanging art or projecting video.
“For this client it’s more about participating in the existing space,” reflects Boor Bridges project architect Sarah Fucinaro. “He primarily uses the space to incubate creative experimentation and host events to share that with the community. But, it is a workspace that doubles as an urban living room for his collaborators and that he feels comfortable enough to call home.”
Adjacent to an industrial kitchen for catering and bartending, communal bathrooms were designed to accommodate a large volume of guests in style. Powder coated fixtures and ceramic tile make for washable surfaces and a minimal, rough-around-the-edges aesthetic.
Upstairs, the renovation maintains an open, industrial aesthetic while its function shifts completely. The homeowner wanted to leave minimal fingerprints on the space while adding a few architectural elements to make it his own - and one of the greatest construction challenges of the entire project was born of this concept. In a completely custom retractable skylight, Jeff King & Company built three functions - roof access, workspace and natural light – into one structure. To achieve this, Boor Bridges designed a steel stringer with wood treads that extend beyond the steps to create a desk and two shelves. The stairs make for a smooth transition from the loft to the roof, which is accessed via skylight (and one that opens and closes at the push of a button).
“The client was super collaborative, and Jeff King & Company as well,” mentions Fucinaro. “It’s important for the teams involved to be passionate about the project and have fun with it. That creative input lives in the project once it’s done, and that gets passed on to the people that enjoy the space once we’ve left.”
Read more about this SOMA Loft at the Jeff King & Company blog.
About Jeff King & Company
Jeff King & Company provides award winning green building and remodeling services. We combine painstaking craftsmanship, aesthetic understanding and sustainable building practices to create healthy, efficient and beautiful homes. Learn more about how Jeff King & Company is remodeling San Francisco at http://www.jeffkingandco.com
Kirsten Shaw, [email protected], 415 221 5012, [email protected]
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