313 Duncan Street

313 Duncan juxtaposes a beautifully restored 1800’s Victorian with a modern third-story addition, finished in statuary marble, honed Brazilian slate and natural hardwood floors, with an open floor plan, private garden and separate guest house.

One of the oldest Noe Valley Victorian row houses, the 313 Duncan application for water service dates to 1888 and references a basin, a bath, a water closet and a horse trough. Constructed on a typical 25’ lot, the house’s narrow design accommodated a 6’ wide side yard for horse-and-carriage access to a stable at the rear of the property. At time of purchase, the main house was dilapidated having gone through a series of aggressive remodels which had destroyed much of its original charm. The rear yard stable had been converted to a depressing rental unit that years of neglect had rendered uninhabitable.

While plans were being developed for the renovation and expansion of the front yard Victorian, the former stable was stripped to the studs. A new foundation was installed, walls rebuilt to current earthquake standards, and interior spaces re-conceived for a one-bedroom cottage with an open floor plan, sandblasted douglas-fir beams and a sleeping loft. Filtered sunlight enters the cottage through a generous, ridge-mounted skylight. With views to blue skies through overhanging branches, warm wood accents, and surrounded by neighboring gardens, the remodeled cottage is a remarkable urban oasis.

The first design proposed for the front Victorian renovation was rejected by the San Francisco Planning Department. They contemplated a clear delineation between the old and new; this was a 180 pivot for the Department which previously expected additions to follow the architecture of the existing building. Architect Owen Kennerly’s response was to organize a portion of the addition to look as if it were part of the original Victorian, and rebuild it using original salvaged trim, painted white. The rest was finished with simple, modern trim, set back and painted dark blue.