Bernal Tower, Blue Truck Studio
In a neighborhood of quirky architectural diversity, the Blue Truck Studio re-mastered a decrepit bungalow into a tightly-detailed modern tower that subtly references elements of the local vernacular. The classic bay windows and siding of neighboring Victorians were re-interpreted as a floor-to-ceiling front window and square-grooved vertical siding. The street level façade of nearby stucco houses was re-invented with a rough-sawn cedar siding hand-coopered to curve up under the soffit. Venting panels disguised in the siding recreate the movement of traditional shutters. Even Bernal Park itself rematerializes as the wind-seeded green roof and the green walls of jasmine in the rear yard. The interior, however, is completely singular: muted hues, raw fir posts and black walnut floors are punctuated by a two-story chimney of light and a bathroom that cantilevers 10’ off the back of the house. Image by Eduardo Navarro Photography.