Renato Jose, AIA

09/12/2025

Our Clipper Street project in Noe Valley just got published in the latest issue of Retrofit Home Magazine. See the article here online: https://retrofithomemagazine.com/.../a-third-story.../

08/06/2025

Flush garage door in motion

07/30/2025

Front facade evolution of the Aperture House in Noe Valley, with previous construction and demolition shots. Final items are the floating entry treads and landscape. Stay tuned.

07/15/2025

I’ve been milking this stair for this Noe Valley addition and alterations project, but here’s the finish treads installed along with the custom and . Final pieces are the lighted handrail and floor to ceiling glass partition.

07/01/2024

Located in San Francisco’s Noe Valley, this partial renovation and addition project is a modern take on traditional house forms found in the neighborhood. The architectural program for a young couple’s first home, called for a third story addition and simplifying the front facade at the First and Second Floor for streetscape cohesion. The project program shifted midway through the building permit review process as the couple welcomed a new baby. The revised program called for two additional bedrooms at the Third Floor, and an additional Kid’s Bathroom. This reduced the size of the Primary Suite, but important project elements such as a walk-in-closet, and in the Primary Bath, a double-sink and a separate shower and bathtub were maintained. The central piece of the design is a stair that starts at the bottom level, and continues up to a roof deck accessible via a retractable roof skylight. The location of the stair from the first to second floor was part of the existing house, and the two flight continuation up to the roof deck is part of the new design. Although the stair is centered in the middle of the house, the owners desired an open floor plan with minimal visual impact at the Second Floor main level. To help achieve this, the stair design incorporates an open tread design, and to meet guardrail code requirements, full floor to ceiling glass partitions. The roof deck captures 180 degree panoramic views of Twin Peaks and Sutro Tower. One of the owner’s favorite architectural elements of the house is the clerestory and corner window view from bed when waking up. The owners are now a family of four, and thanks to the shift in program during permit review, the kids also have a spectacular third story bedroom view of their own.
Photography by Jean Bai

06/20/2022