Sky House | On The Boards

Perched high above San Francisco’s Pacific Heights, the Sky House is a top-to-bottom reinvention of a 9,400-square-foot 1909 residence.

Working in close collaboration with Feldman Architecture, FORMA tackled the steep 20% cross-slope site with precision—rebuilding the entire foundation with nearly 40 new piers drilled into bedrock. The team excavated the lowest level to create an additional 1,000 square feet of living space and restructured the main and penthouse floors to support a more modern, open layout. During excavation, FORMA’s team encountered an underground stream that required extensive dewatering techniques. FORMA also encountered a section of a long-buried tunnel that was the remnant of an abandoned aqueduct project circa 1851. The result is a structurally transformed home with its original scale intact, ready for its next century of life.

Project Highlights:

Sits on a steep 20% cross slope which provided many challenges for construction
The entire foundation was rebuilt and earthquake-proofed by adding structural steel integrated into the framing.
Main floor expanded by excavating below to add 1,000 square feet underground
40 new piers were added to the foundation and were drilled through solid bedrock

Architect
Feldman Architecture

Owners Representative
Peak Projects

The original home was dark and separated by narrow hallways and walls. The main vision for this project is to create flow throughout this 5-story home with lots of light and a main staircase. Three large skylights will be strategically placed over this main staircase that extends four stories and connects each level of the structure.

Feldman architecture's main goal was to change that by creating a more organized, open-flow floor plan that would allow the family to enjoy the space this house allows.

Full-demo kicked off back in September 2023 and each layer revealed something new, whether it be a challenge or a piece of the home's complex history.

The entire foundation was rebuilt and earthquake-proofed by adding structural steel integrated into the framing.

Our team completely rebuilt the foundation, going the extra mile to ensure it is earthquake-proofed with nearly 40 new piers drilled through bedrock.

Structural steel was brought in in July 2024 to further enhance the foundation.

Another extensive task preformed by our team was the lower-level expansion. In order to add much needed space to this home, our team excavated the main floor to expand it by 1,000 square-feet.

A closer look at one of the upper floors during the early stages of demo shows the abundance of narrow hallways and separated series of staircases that added to the lack of flow and confusing layout.

Structural steel delivery via crane.

Currently, the Sky House is in the final framing phase. Our team is hard at work rolling out the fourth-floor joists and subflooring. The wall and roof framing for the lounge area and roof deck are up next.

The highlight of the Sky House? Simple. The rooftop deck that features beautifully stunning views to the North.

Sky House | On The Boards

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