First Offering: Case Study Architect’s Own Home! Shortly after completing House #26, the last built of Arts and Architecture’s seminal Case Study House Program, Thorne commenced hand building his own residence with the assistance of family and friends. It stands today as one of the ultimate demonstrations of the optimistic possibilities for better living, and in harmony with nature utilizing post war technology. The house is both an evolution, and a revolution. Thorne had purchased a relatively non-descript 1930’s residence for its premier view site in the Piedmont Pines district of the Oakland hills. Rather than tearing down the structure, he commenced a remodel for his growing family. Conversion of the attached garage below the bedroom wing of the house provided a family room. Modification of roofing systems, and shingling the exterior brought the faade into conformity with the Bay Area Shingle Style vernacular. Thorne could have quit there, and moved on, but the possibilities of the site and the views were compelling. Indoor/outdoor living, one of the hallmarks of the Case Study Program was limited due to the sloping site. Thorne solved this problem by literally breaking out of the box, projecting a landing and dramatic staircase into a grand steel box of Piranesian proportions completely shingled on the interior with a glass wall opening out to a wide cantilevered living deck. By the rules this was impossible, but Thorne “dared to do what never had been done, dared to win what never had been won:” His own statement of the possibilities of architecture, and a life well lived living in nature. Residence incorporates a family room and one of the greatest residential living/entertaining public spaces in the Bay area.