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The use of photovoltaic panels on the front of the home is the most striking element -- a first of its kind permitted in San Francisco. These panels net about .75 Kw out of the total 4.8 Kw system.

Freshly Sustainable

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Freshly Sustainable

  • The use of photovoltaic panels on the front of the home is the most striking element -- a first of its kind permitted in San Francisco. These panels net about .75 Kw out of the total 4.8 Kw system.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E74%2Etmp_tcm17-203664.jpg

    The use of photovoltaic panels on the front of the home is the most striking element -- a first of its kind permitted in San Francisco. These panels net about .75 Kw out of the total 4.8 Kw system.

    600

    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    The use of photovoltaic panels on the front of the home is the most striking element -- a first of its kind permitted in San Francisco. These panels net about .75 Kw out of the total 4.8 Kw system.

  • Front elevation, before.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E6E%2Etmp_tcm17-203622.jpg

    Front elevation, before.

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    courtesy of Ken Mayer

    Front elevation, before.

  • View from the living room looking toward the master bedroom, dining room, kitchen, and mezzanine.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2974%2Etmp_tcm17-202677.jpg

    View from the living room looking toward the master bedroom, dining room, kitchen, and mezzanine.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    View from the living room looking toward the master bedroom, dining room, kitchen, and mezzanine.

  • The stairwell from the living room to the mezzanine was a challenge. It had to acccommodate limited space and code issues and have a minimal amount of exposed support. The railings/banisters are custom architectural steel power coated to match the exterior metal white custom stainless steel grip rails.On some areas steel is eliminated and glass added for a softer feeling.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2ECC%2Etmp_tcm17-203863.jpg

    The stairwell from the living room to the mezzanine was a challenge. It had to acccommodate limited space and code issues and have a minimal amount of exposed support. The railings/banisters are custom architectural steel power coated to match the exterior metal white custom stainless steel grip rails.On some areas steel is eliminated and glass added for a softer feeling.

    600

    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    The stairwell from the living room to the mezzanine was a challenge. It had to acccommodate limited space and code issues and have a minimal amount of exposed support. The railings/banisters are custom architectural steel power coated to match the exterior metal white custom stainless steel grip rails.On some areas steel is eliminated and glass added for a softer feeling.

  • The new kitchen features bamboo cabinets and Caesarstone and marble countertops. Windows behind the upper cabinets allow for natural lighting.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E71%2Etmp_tcm17-203643.jpg

    The new kitchen features bamboo cabinets and Caesarstone and marble countertops. Windows behind the upper cabinets allow for natural lighting.

    600

    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    The new kitchen features bamboo cabinets and Caesarstone and marble countertops. Windows behind the upper cabinets allow for natural lighting.

  • One of the first floor bedrooms. The full-glass door (by Blomberg www.arcat.com) leads to the back patio and allows in natural light.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E67%2Etmp_tcm17-203572.jpg

    One of the first floor bedrooms. The full-glass door (by Blomberg www.arcat.com) leads to the back patio and allows in natural light.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    One of the first floor bedrooms. The full-glass door (by Blomberg www.arcat.com) leads to the back patio and allows in natural light.

  • The mezzanine.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2ECD%2Etmp_tcm17-203870.jpg

    The mezzanine.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    The mezzanine.

  • The third floor mezzanine overlooks the front streetscape.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E68%2Etmp_tcm17-203579.jpg

    The third floor mezzanine overlooks the front streetscape.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    The third floor mezzanine overlooks the front streetscape.

  • The master bedroom and deck. Large dual pane windows allow for natural lighting and solar gain.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2ECE%2Etmp_tcm17-203877.jpg

    The master bedroom and deck. Large dual pane windows allow for natural lighting and solar gain.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    The master bedroom and deck. Large dual pane windows allow for natural lighting and solar gain.

  • The master bathroom features a tub enclosure, double lavi bamboo cabinet, and marble floor.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E76%2Etmp_tcm17-203678.jpg

    The master bathroom features a tub enclosure, double lavi bamboo cabinet, and marble floor.

    600

    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    The master bathroom features a tub enclosure, double lavi bamboo cabinet, and marble floor.

  • The existing interior stair at the third level was removed and recycled: Two new sets of stairs were installed in different locations. The banisters were saved for a future project. The (E) wood floors were recycled. Radiant heating was installed on all three levels and covered with engineered bamboo hardwood flooring.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E6D%2Etmp_tcm17-203614.jpg

    The existing interior stair at the third level was removed and recycled: Two new sets of stairs were installed in different locations. The banisters were saved for a future project. The (E) wood floors were recycled. Radiant heating was installed on all three levels and covered with engineered bamboo hardwood flooring.

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    courtesy of Ken Mayer

    The existing interior stair at the third level was removed and recycled: Two new sets of stairs were installed in different locations. The banisters were saved for a future project. The (E) wood floors were recycled. Radiant heating was installed on all three levels and covered with engineered bamboo hardwood flooring.

  • Entrance stair to the third floor -- filled with natural light.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E6C%2Etmp_tcm17-203607.jpg

    Entrance stair to the third floor -- filled with natural light.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    Entrance stair to the third floor -- filled with natural light.

  • Third floor dining area, beyond is a den. At left is a bedroom.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2973%2Etmp_tcm17-202670.jpg

    Third floor dining area, beyond is a den. At left is a bedroom.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    Third floor dining area, beyond is a den. At left is a bedroom.

  • Custom roof windows take full advantage of the sun for natural lighting in the third-floor dining area. The door leads out to what was once a tradesmen's entrance.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E6A%2Etmp_tcm17-203593.jpg

    Custom roof windows take full advantage of the sun for natural lighting in the third-floor dining area. The door leads out to what was once a tradesmen's entrance.

    600

    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    Custom roof windows take full advantage of the sun for natural lighting in the third-floor dining area. The door leads out to what was once a tradesmen's entrance.

  • Third-floor kitchen.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2ED0%2Etmp_tcm17-203891.jpg

    Third-floor kitchen.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    Third-floor kitchen.

  • Third floor bedroom next to the den.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2ECF%2Etmp_tcm17-203884.jpg

    Third floor bedroom next to the den.

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    Gwendellyn Farri-Mayer

    Third floor bedroom next to the den.

  • The view of the front half of the project roof from the neighbor's roof. This is a portion of the 4.8 Kw photovoltaic systme. Mayer used a TPO roof membrane. In the distance is the Golden Gate Bridge.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E75%2Etmp_tcm17-203671.jpg

    The view of the front half of the project roof from the neighbor's roof. This is a portion of the 4.8 Kw photovoltaic systme. Mayer used a TPO roof membrane. In the distance is the Golden Gate Bridge.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    The view of the front half of the project roof from the neighbor's roof. This is a portion of the 4.8 Kw photovoltaic systme. Mayer used a TPO roof membrane. In the distance is the Golden Gate Bridge.

  • The roodf skylight holds the evacuated tubes for the solar assisted hot water system.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E70%2Etmp_tcm17-203636.jpg

    The roodf skylight holds the evacuated tubes for the solar assisted hot water system.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    The roodf skylight holds the evacuated tubes for the solar assisted hot water system.

  • Pre-heated water storage tank and hot water heater in the garage.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E79%2Etmp_tcm17-203692.jpg

    Pre-heated water storage tank and hot water heater in the garage.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    Pre-heated water storage tank and hot water heater in the garage.

  • In the garage, inverters convert direct current from the PV panels and change it into alternating current.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E73%2Etmp_tcm17-203657.jpg

    In the garage, inverters convert direct current from the PV panels and change it into alternating current.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    In the garage, inverters convert direct current from the PV panels and change it into alternating current.

  • In the yard, the idea is to minimize the amount of hard surface on the ground so the soil can recharge. Mayer and Co. used compacted decomposed granite and dark mulch, which are permeable, as well as some colored concrete.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2E69%2Etmp_tcm17-203586.jpg

    In the yard, the idea is to minimize the amount of hard surface on the ground so the soil can recharge. Mayer and Co. used compacted decomposed granite and dark mulch, which are permeable, as well as some colored concrete.

    600

    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    In the yard, the idea is to minimize the amount of hard surface on the ground so the soil can recharge. Mayer and Co. used compacted decomposed granite and dark mulch, which are permeable, as well as some colored concrete.

  • New rear elevation. Recycled Port Orford cedar is framed in stucco.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp2975%2Etmp_tcm17-202684.jpg

    New rear elevation. Recycled Port Orford cedar is framed in stucco.

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    Gwendellyn Farris-Mayer

    New rear elevation. Recycled Port Orford cedar is framed in stucco.

Location: San Francisco
Contractor: Kenneth J. Mayer, Mayer and Co., Fairfax, Calif.
Designer: Doug Jacuzzi, Soularch Design, San Francisco

The program: Make a typical three-story, two-unit San Francisco rowhouse, circa 1920, contemporary, environmentally friendly, and energy- and resource-efficient. The team not only accomplished that but built the first permitted location in San Francisco to use a photovoltaic array as an exterior finish surface.

Mayer and Co. rebuilt the foundation, tore down the front, back, and interior walls, and the roof. “We wanted a clean slate,” remodeler Ken Mayer says. New posts in collector beams and structural steel Z-frames bolted down through the different floor levels stabilized the structure during the demolition phases. At least 70% of the demolition debris was recycled, and the home has radiant heat, high-performance glass windows, post-industrial recycled cotton insulation, recyclable thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roof and deck membranes, Energy Star appliances, an on-demand hot water system, low-VOC finishes, and bamboo flooring.

Judges liked the composition from the street and how the designer incorporated the panels into the facade, as opposed to treating it as “a back-of-house service,” as well as how the back and front play on positive and negative space.

—Stacey Freed, senior editor, REMODELING.