PS House / Iwamoto Scott

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Text description provided by the architects. PS House offers a way of densifying the inner block of an already fairly dense San Francisco neighborhood (North Beach), while bringing an unexpected degree of spaciousness, natural light and connection with the outside to a small 1200sf urban house. It is a speculative project aimed at maximizing the potential of an existing dilapidated structure at the rear of the property, which was demolished but whose small footprint could not be expanded. The overall site’s void space is strategized in terms of natural light and ventilation, and includes three spaces: the courtyard separating the new house from the existing Edwardian building fronting on Powell Street; an exterior entrance passageway that connects this courtyard to the street; and an upper level south-facing deck. The design of the entry passageway seeks to heighten the experience of threshold between city and house. Opposite PS House’s main façade is a new wood screen that lines the courtyard. The screen’s slats are angled so as to maintain privacy between the new house and existing decks at the rear of the front building.