The 5-bedroom residence was designed for a family with 2 young children who all enjoy boating on San Francisco Bay. The house is built on 70'-0" long concrete piles driven into the Bay Mud.
The residence is designed to withstand the salty environment since the house is built on piers over the San Francisco Bay. Corrugated copper siding with verdi-gris; Rough-sawn cedar V-Groove siding stained dark warm gray-green (match the rocks).
Because the wind can be excessive in this area, the house features a two-story high living room which acts as an enclosed courtyard space. Mezzanines and exterior decks look into this space. Stacked sliding glass doors merge this interior courtyard with the exterior decks and balconies by creating a two-story high opening.
Considerable design attention was given to a careful well designed method of balancing views, sun-control, and salty environment. The southern elevation has a carefully designed "smart" skin designed to control solar gain while preserving views. Features include high performance glass, powder-coated trellises for sun-control, heavy insulation, and an exterior wood siding designed to weather in a controlled fashion. Within the wall cavity, Computer-controlled window shades rise and fall, depending on the time of day.