OAKLEY RESIDENCE

This former manufacturing and storage facility appears impenetrable from the street, but much to the surprise of all who enter, unveils four lush courtyards within its walls.  The Oakley residence was converted into two dwellings in 1996, and still features the beautiful exposed wood bow truss structure and steel framework after the recent SLH renovation, that served the warehouses during their production days.  In the early 1900’s one could purchase Silveroid, a material boasting a maintenance-free alternative to silverware, and plaster bandages from B.W. Gottschalk from this location. 

The fortress-like cement block and brick base wall envelopes the property and four green oases.   But within a calming retreat awaits, surrounding the visitor with native plants and sounds of a babbling water feature.  Entering inside, burnished oak tambour panels and linear lit ceiling baffles above provide a warm relief from the brick and concrete that flow throughout the entire residence.  The living and dining areas flow off the foyer and main hall, and are flanked by the entry and pool courtyards.  Here guests can relax and enjoy the delectable meals from the kitchen just beyond the art wall that doubles as an appliance tower.  To the south of the living room, a bar greets music-lovers who can grab a drink and immerse themselves in the music room beyond.

A large opening was introduced into the brick wall formerly separating the steel frame and bow truss structures.  Views between the living room and kitchen unfold on either side of the freestanding art volume to allow for admiring the grand structures while enjoying the settings on an intimate level. 

At night the trusses and beams glow overhead.  This Valcucine kitchen has all the amenities and features a cook could ask for, featuring the burnished oak from the entry reappearing on the island, breakfast bar, and dry bar beyond.  The island and surrounding counters transition to a soft-textured Cordosa stone with matching backsplash over matte grey cabinetry, black aluminum reveal pulls, and high gloss white upper cabinets and appliance tower.  The kitchen includes a main and prep sink, and two Thermador double combination ovens, glass induction cooktop, and integrated refrigerator and freezer.

The sitting area off the kitchen overlooks the dining courtyard, and is anchored by a series of monolithic white plaster volumes featuring a fireplace and platforms for sculpture and art. The volumes are a form of sculpture themselves, playing off the brick and ceiling offsets to create a grand and harmonious backdrop to the space, and inspiring the carved and projected planes around the dry bar and guest bed hall. 

The bedrooms are tucked beyond the halls that branch from the living and sitting areas.  Two guest suites flank the bow truss hall and overlook the pine courtyard to the east. East of the living room, a large pocket door encloses the primary suite.  The bed, bath, and study enjoy northern sun and views through the pool courtyard and into the pine courtyard beyond, giving the sensation of being in a private outdoor space.  Here again we experience the burnished oak but as a headboard for the bed and divider to the closet behind.  The primary bath incorporates neutral tones with large format textured tiles, featuring a white monolithic tub and sliding vanity volumes reminiscent of the sitting room sculptural wall.