This house was designed for a young couple that wanted to keep the charm and identity of the former cottage on the property, as well as fully respecting the neighbors’ privacy and the environment by not constructing more than what they needed. Like much of San Francisco’s housing stock, the Laidley Street Cottage was becoming out of date. Built to last 100 years, the home was at the end of its useful life with all building systems needing upgrading.

Originally, the home was an existing rear yard cottage. In the redesign, additional square footage was modest and focused on right-sizing property to the site while adding new building systems and daylit design. The Laidley Street Cottage now has a friendly window filled façade, but the fence and gate extend generously to the front yard. The house has been recognized and largely appreciated as it was selected in 2018 to be part of AIA San Francisco Living: Home Tours 2018.