holmes culley residential studio brochure

residential studio

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TITLEOffering 35 years of residential

design experience, Holmes

Culley is committed to providing

high-touch service by offering

a tailored approach to our

residential clients whether they are

to owners, architects, agents or

builders. Residential projects are

unique and we understand our

structural solutions must achieve

and sustain the design objectives

of each project. A home is a

valuable possession and a place

where lives are fulfilled. Design is

not an exclusive process but an

evolutionary one where we provide

options and our clients can make

informed decisions.

WHEN WE’RE TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM OF CONSTRUCTABILITY, WE AREN’T TOLD “YOU CANNOT DO THAT” WE HEAR “LET’S SEE WHAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT”.

- Derek Thompson – Thompson Suskind, L.P.

WHEN WE’RE TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM OF CONSTRUCTABILITY, WE AREN’T TOLD “YOU CANNOT DO THAT” WE HEAR “LET’S SEE WHAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT”.

- Derek Thompson – Thompson Suskind, L.P.

3299 Baker Street

Architect: Sutro Architects

Contractor: Ryan Associates

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We acknowledge the need to

provide individual attention to

residential projects and we have

a structural design studio solely

dedicated to our residential clients.

Our engineers take time to listen,

understand, and offer the best

options. We create and evaluate

options with all stakeholders instead

of providing a “stock-standard”

solution, which can often lead to

adverse effects on the building

fabric, the structure’s performance,

and construction cost and schedule.

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2324 BROADWAY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Client: Troon Pacific

Architect: Doane + Doane

General Contractor: Thompson Suskind, L.P.

Located atop Pacific Heights, this residence provides exceptional

views of the San Francisco Bay Area at every level. This required

open floor plans, a transparent facade, and external access

at all four stories using new folded glass doors, terraces and

balconies. Our client’s goal for this renovation was to exceed the

standards for LEED Platinum certification and we provided full

structural engineering services that helped our client achieve their

architectural vision and the high sustainability standards. We were

able to re-use and incorporate the existing framing and sub-floors

without compromising the architectural layout, fabric and seismic

safety of the structure. Along with other structural upgrades,

Holmes Culley provided structural design that minimized the

amount of new structural elements needed to allow for the open

floor plans and facades.

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Nestled between the north shores and hillside of Marin County,

this single–family custom home provides spectacular views of the

San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Working with land

and height constraints, this three – story structure was completely

renovated and seismically strengthened. The sloping elevator is a

unique feature to the main house. A significant design effort was

required to facilitate the installation of a new “Hilavator” whereby

the single cab elevator runs on a steel track founded on drilled

piles and installed in an extremely steep bank. New site retaining

walls and the existing stability of the hillside allowed for additional

square footage for the residence including expansive terraces,

a low-profile structural steel roof and beach access through a

reconditioned boat dock.

PRIVATE RESIDENCE

BELVEDERE, CALIFORNIA

Architect: Andrew Skurman Architects

Contractor: Redhorse Constructors

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At Holmes Culley we are personally

invested in every project from

initial concept to completion and

we provide Principal involvement

throughout each phase of the

project. We stand behind our

expertise. Architects and contractors

enjoy working with our team and

are dedicated to make any project

work. Our clients’ remember us

by our hard work, determination,

creativity, flexibility and availability.

2524 Braodway Street

Architect: Butler Armsden Architects

Contractor: Altman & Company

“HOLMES CULLEY REALLY VALUES THE COLLABORATIVE

ATMOSPHERE THAT PRODUCES A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT.”

- Jeffrey Eade, Architect

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41 WEST SHORE

BELVEDERE, CALIFORNIA

Architect: Holscher Architects

Contractor: Salamandra Associates

Located on the shores of Richardson Bay in Belvedere this

new two-story residence was purposely designed to maximize

access of the surrounding marine environment and views of the

San Francisco Bay including the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin

Headlands and Sausalito. This residence was designed with

an open floor plan, both indoor and outdoor spaces, and thin

floor/roof plates to maximize ceiling heights. Holmes Culley

provided effcient framing systems with minimal use of structural

steel. We designed the foundations using a combination of the

conventional concrete drilled piers and steel helical “screw”

piles to support the structure. These efficiencies in the framing

and foundation systems allowed the client to invest in a higher

performance concrete to increase the foundation’s durability

against the marine environment and increase its robustness

during an earthquake.

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3299 BAKER STREET


Architect: Sutro Architects

Contractor: Ryan Associates

Originally built in 1930, this residence underwent a complete

interior remodel and transformation. 3299 Baker Street is situated

across the street from the Palace of Fine Arts and is considered

the “crown jewel of the Marina”. An important project goal was

maintaining the Italian-imported upright brick façade with arched

windows, wrought-iron balconies and plaques depicting scenes

from Roman mythology. Holmes Culley provided new framing

and a seismic upgrade design for the entire structure. The existing

foundations were utilized to support the new structural elements

and upgrades including a cantilevered spiral stone staircase, a

new roof deck within the existing roof volume and heavy stone

columns used to support the terrace deck.

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PRIVATE RESIDENCE

LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA

Design Architect: Zaha HadidArchtiect of Record: Joseph Wong Design AssociatesDesign Structural Engineer: Buro HappoldStructural Engineer of Record: Holmes Cullley

This signature private residence designed with a Zaha Hadid

aesthetic is an attempt to push the boundaries of design,

engineering and construction. A key feature of this project is

the wave profile roof, supported by a pair of inverted shell

structures which extend throughout all levels of the house into

the foundation. A non-traditional method of formwork was used

to create these shapes and we developed a formwork system

that used high density foam forms. The foam forms were cut to

the specific profile of the roof using computer numerical cutting

(CNC) equipment and coated with epoxy to achieve a desired

finish.

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TITLEDesign is Responsibility:

TAKE A CREATIVE APPROACH: All our projects are an opportunity to start with a

blank canvas. We start with a basic understanding of the project’s objectives and

key conditions to ensure only the best and appropriate solutions are provided.

PROVIDE PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS: All our projects are buildable and

incorporate current construction materials and techniques. Our goal is to

maximize every dollar spent on the structure and we partner with contractors to

ensure constructability feedback is consistently up to date and included in the

final construction documentation.

Service is Simple:

WE LISTEN: Our mission is to achieve our clients’ goals. Understanding our

clients’ needs, objectives and architectural vision is our first priority.

REMAIN FLEXIBLE: There are a number of ways to solve a structural problem but

not one solution is always right. Close collaboration amongst the design team

and contractor is paramount in delivering the best possible solution for the client.

AND RESPOND: We are reachable and responsive. Our philosophy is to deliver

service and quality design throughout each phase of a project, even under the

most aggressive design and construction schedules.

“HOLMES CULLEY IS EXTREMELY RESPONSIVE WITH PRACTICAL AND BUILDABLE SOLUTIONS FOR ALL MANNER OF COMPLEX RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURAL ISSUES.”

- Steve Plath, Plath & Company

23 Belmont Avenue


Architect: Doane + Doane Archtects

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65 MONTCLAIR


Client: Troon PacificArchitect: Doane + DoaneContractor: Drew Maran Construction, Inc.

Located adjacent to the iconic windy section of Lombard Street the

existing 1960’s residence did not live up to the prime location. A

major renovation and seismic retrofit was undertaken to transfer

the drab existing building into a modern, safe, functional home

better suited to its surroundings.

The seismic retrofit solution strategically located shear walls away

from the façades to allow extensive glazing to maximize the views

of the city and bay. New exterior decks were created over the

garage to increase the functional square footage and provide

indoor – outdoor living options. A new garage located under

the existing building allowed vehicle access from Chestnut St

therefore allowing the owners the option of avoiding the lines of

tourists on the curves of Lombard St.

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CARMEL VALLEY RESIDENCE

CARMEL, CALIFORNIA

Architect: Bernardo Urquieta AIA

Contractor: RJL Construction

Located in the Santa Lucia Preserve, the construction of this new

luxury hill-top property is sited to provide a 270 degree view of

the surrounding Carmel Valley and Pacific Ocean. It houses a

main residence, a guest cottage and wine cellar. The residence

was constructed with a heavy timber roof and floor framing with

wood sheathed and stone-clad exterior walls. Particular attention

to the aesthetics of the structural details was required to feature

the stone-clad walls and exposed timber of the floor and roof

framing.

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PRIVATE RESIDENCE

SONOMA, CALIFORNIA

Architect: STUDIOS ARCHITECTUREContractor: Cello & Maudru

Located in Sonoma Valley of California, the project creates a

new private retreat including an observatory tower, library, and

lap pool. The integration of architectural vision with intricate

and innovative structural design realized—without compromise

—the owner’s vision of a retreat. The unique design of this

private oasis pushed the boundaries of structural engineering

and achieved the client’s vision through tight integration of

architecture with structure. The thin plate roof spanned the 70’ x

36’ room supported on a sparse and irregular grid of columns

and was laterally anchored back to the concrete core at the

adjoining wet spa and service areas. The folded plate profile

of the roof resembled a floating butterfly with post-tensioned

concrete used to achieve the thin profile. The facade mullions

were custom-engineered and cantilevered from the foundation

to enhance the floating of the concrete roof above and allow

architectural freedom above the transom.

23 Belmont Avenue


Architect: Doane + Doane Archtects

THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO UNIQUE SITUATIONS HELPS US ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF

OUR PROJECTS.

- Babac Doane, Doane + Doane Architects, Inc.

130 Sutter StreetSuite 400San Francisco, CA94104

Tel 415 693 1600Fax 415 693 1760

Our experience in the design of; new buildings and the seismic retrofit of existing buildings is achieved by approaching each project with flexibility, new ideas, and quality service. We utilize new technologies and advanced structural analysis techniques to achieve cost-effective solutions to maximize value and enhance a structure’s seismic performance. Our approach is to provide creative structural design solutions that respond to the needs and goals of our clients.