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The commenters over on ArchDaily have called the Alvarado House the “mullet house” — business in the front, party in the back. This San Francisco, CA home renovation by Terry & Terry Architecture retained the original front facade of home while creating a dramatically different dynamic in the back.
While maintaining parts of the original Victorian layout, Terry & Terry Architecture designed a new rear portion of the house, adding bathrooms, bedrooms, and an open concept kitchen, dining, and living area. Also added were outdoor desk spaces, a ground-level patio and tiered exterior stairs.
Architect: Terry & Terry Architecture
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Project Team: Alex Terry AIA, Ivan Terry
Engineer: Santos Urrutia Structural Engineers Inc.
Landscape Architect: Outer Space Landscape Architecture
General Contractor: Timberline Construction
Project Area: 2,600 square feet
Photographs: Ethan Kaplan

3 Comments
Faberuna on 04.29.2011 at 19:29 PM
The contrast is so stunning. I love that railing. Amazing!
phil on 04.29.2011 at 21:15 PM
very nice yet deceiving from its front elevation! the house doesn’t go far among the rows of houses, but it all takes a vivid approach in its exterior. i love how they took the hybrid route, although i think it would’ve been better to also make the interior modern.
unless if you’re a neighbor behind this house or get invited to a bbq, i don’t think anyone will see the “party in the back” feature.
Dion Seminara on 05.29.2013 at 20:39 PM
Love what the architects have done and the “business in the front, party in the back” as you say.
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