Sea Cliff Residence | Honoring the Past, Building for the Future
In San Francisco’s historic Sea Cliff neighborhood, FORMA Construction and Butler Armsden Architects are collaborating on the transformation of a 1928 residence into a forever home for a young family of five.
Many of Sea Cliff’s original homes were built before the Golden Gate Bridge became one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and were designed without fully embracing the spectacular views that define the neighborhood today. This renovation offers an opportunity to reconsider that relationship, opening the home to sweeping views of the Pacific while preserving the architectural character that makes it distinctive.
The design carefully balances preservation with contemporary intervention. Original details, including coffered ceilings, arched windows, and the historic façade, are preserved, while a series of smaller, compartmentalized rooms gives way to more connected living spaces. A new Great Room will become the heart of the home, bringing together natural light, expansive views, and the flexibility needed for modern family life. An expansive central courtyard provides a quieter counterpoint, offering a protected outdoor space surrounded by lush landscaping.
“It’s important to create enough distance between old and new, so each has its own presence,” explains Glenda Flaim of Butler Armsden Architects.
Historic Home Renovation in San Francisco: Craftsmanship Meets Modern Construction
Bringing that vision to life requires a careful balance of preservation, innovation, and technical expertise. As Victor of FORMA Construction explains, the home’s original concrete and steel framework, unusual for its era, poses a unique set of challenges. Although the existing structure is remarkably strong, modifying its concrete beams to accommodate new openings and contemporary living spaces requires creative problem-solving, precision, and close coordination between the architect and builder.
This behind-the-scenes video explores the shared vision, craftsmanship, and collaboration required to transform a historic residence into a home for the next generation.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nZaVbG-Gy1k
Architecture: Butler Armsden Architects
Interior Design: SVK Interior Design
Construction: FORMA Construction
Film: Saul Estrada Studio / Photography: Melissa Wagner Creative