SubscribeSign In
Collection by Luke Hopping

House of the Week: San Francisco Cottage Divided Into Two Modern Apartments

Every week, we highlight one amazing Dwell home that went viral on Pinterest. Follow Dwell's Pinterest account for more daily design inspiration.

Our readers were impressed by how architect Jim Zack created two matching properties, each about 1,325 square feet, that share an open courtyard and a unique collection of exterior materials.

View 4 Photos
“The rear unit was about 90 percent rebuilt,” Zack says. “We added a full floor of living space in what was the garage.” Black walnut was used to make the home’s stairs and handrails.
“The rear unit was about 90 percent rebuilt,” Zack says. “We added a full floor of living space in what was the garage.” Black walnut was used to make the home’s stairs and handrails.
“We are always interested in doing unapologetic modern design in an architecturally conservative city,” Zack says. The front unit’s door to the courtyard is painted in Sherwin-Williams’ “carnival” shade.
“We are always interested in doing unapologetic modern design in an architecturally conservative city,” Zack says. The front unit’s door to the courtyard is painted in Sherwin-Williams’ “carnival” shade.
The rear unit’s front entrance faces the courtyard, and has the same acrylic stucco and painted wood siding as the front unit’s exterior. The door, which has a custom-steel awning over its frame, is painted in “hep green” by Sherwin-Williams.
The rear unit’s front entrance faces the courtyard, and has the same acrylic stucco and painted wood siding as the front unit’s exterior. The door, which has a custom-steel awning over its frame, is painted in “hep green” by Sherwin-Williams.