Beautiful inside out and circularly.
Last weekend, Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco (HGSF) celebrated a major milestone: handing over the keys to eight families on Diamond Heights’ Amber Drive. What was once a single, modest bungalow has been transformed into a vibrant new community.
HGSF’s CEO, Maureen Sedonaen, immediately recognized the potential of this uniquely positioned—but long-abandoned—“sliver of land” when the organization accepted the property as a gift from Misha Seligman, the 90-something-year-old son of the original owner. Despite years of pandemic-related delays and the inherent complexities of building in San Francisco, that initial vision finally came to life. Even through the Saturday fog, the stunning triplex—designed by Kerman Morris Architects in homage to the neighborhood’s Eichler roots—shone brightly.
In 2020, I, along with Board Member/Architect Heidi Hansen, was asked to design the interiors or the entire community, in a manner that brought inspired, enduring and beautiful finishes to these homes. Working off the circular, zero-waste platform we had previously established for HGSF’s 20 homes in Redwood City , we set out to deliver those same high-end, sustainable sensibilities with a mid-century modern aesthetic.
It was deeply moving to meet the families who now live under the soft glow of Hubbardton Forge’s nature-inspired chandelier, which hovers elegantly over a top-floor island to take full advantage of the soaring ceiling height. I was equally thrilled to meet the family whose entryway is illuminated by a die-cut brass sconce from George Kovacs. Then there is the beautiful Daltile greeting every homeowner in their foyer and serving as a striking, protective backsplash in the kitchens and baths. In a community now home to twelve children, those durable backsplashes are essential for safeguarding walls against enthusiastic handwashing and water-balloon filling.
These finishes were made possible through a creative approach to sourcing: deepening relationships with local vendors and engaging national supplier programs. We found generous partners across San Francisco’s robust design and manufacturing communities who donated excess inventory that might otherwise have been bound for a landfill (a special thank you to Tina Jones at City Lights).
Thanks to Maureen Sedonaen’s openness to innovative solutions and our commitment to enduring design, we reframed the challenge of using one-off items into a meaningful strength. Each home developed its own distinct interior story, allowing families to feel that their space was as unique as they are. Production schedules were adjusted to accommodate a process that felt more “custom build” than traditional “affordable housing.” Through tight coordination, clear communication, and a shared commitment to beating budget, we delivered beautiful, sustainable, and equitable homes.
Just as architects foster a sense of place by how a structure interacts with its surroundings, interior finishes create an added layer of home and belonging inside. Knowing that light fixtures will perform reliably and appliances will stand the test of time allows these families to focus on living—not repairs. Family funds can go toward school supplies, summer vacations, or a new computer rather than unexpected maintenance.
With costs to build in the Bay Area as they are, leveraging circular solutions also offers a sharp advantage to the project’s bottom line—while still delivering homes that leaves NIMBY’s unable to utter a complaint.
With the need for more sustainable practices in every sector, and pressure from Extended Producer Responsibility, I’m excited to continue to bring meaningful and important new practices that allow for circular solutions that solve a multitude of modern-day problems.
materials—circular, sustainable & equitable
“Beautifully designed and well-built homes that allow for neighborhood engagement are the number one deterrent to NIMBY-ism.”
The Design Team for Amber Drive, at left, Board Member/Architect Heidi Hansen; Sustainability/Interior Design Consultant Beth Miles; Principal Architects Elizabeth (Biz) Kerman-Morris & Toby Morris of Kerman Morris Architects.
Bath bars, gifted by San Francisco’s City Lights, were assorted from showroom sample lines, affording each bath a unique personality. Fixtures were from a mix of manufacturers including Kohler, George Kovacs, and Modernform. Solid stone quartz countertop and undermount sink from MG Stone, a local San Francisco vendor.
Donations of Daltile served as a beautiful and protective detail for the kitchens. Solid surface quartz countertops were fabricated and installed by San Francisco’s MG Stone, an ongoing vendor for HGSF projects.
“We are constantly staying ahead of the curve to find innovative solutions which reduce impacts of overproduction while offering cost-friendly solutions to organizations.”
The sourcing strategies that intercept landfill paths play a crucial role in our commitment to sustainability. By actively seeking out alternative sources and materials, we are able to bring higher quality finishes by working with overstock or sample lines. Manufacturers are incentivized to donate to help manage Extended Manufacturer Responsiblity and we delivery homes of greater equity. These strategies involve a comprehensive evaluation of our supply chains, identifying opportunities to repurpose materials and collaborate with eco-conscious suppliers.
Large Daltile for use in the entry sheds; with Hubbardton Forge’s beautiful exterior sconces lighing the way.
Beth Miles taking in the view of the Golden Gate Bridge from one of Amber Drive’s homes.