A century-old San Francisco home once modeled after the Starship Enterprise has received a subtle update. Designer Christine Lin transformed the bold sci-fi property into a warmer, more livable space for a young family.
What happened
The 5,000-square-foot house sits in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood. A previous owner gut-renovated the three-level structure decades ago to resemble the famous Star Trek ship.
Friends initially showed the property to designer Christine Lin on the Zillow Gone Wild website. They wanted her honest opinion on the unusual listing.
When a young couple bought the house, they hired Lin’s firm, Form + Field. The new owners wanted to tone down the intense theme.
Lin replaced the original metal finishes and bright yellow accents with warm maple cabinetry. She also added functional spaces, including a nursery, an office, and a laundry room.
The airlock-inspired entry keeps its original metal door and porthole windows. Lin added gradient wallpaper from the Detroit Wallpaper Co.
to recall the stratosphere.
A Mirei Monticelli light fixture from Costantini illuminates the entry space. The double-height kitchen acts as a space station atrium.
The kitchen now features biodegradable linoleum instead of holographic flooring. Vipp swivel chairs surround a vintage Eames dining table.
A woven painting by Margo Wolowiec hangs nearby, designed to look like a window facing Earth. A Victoria Wagner sculpture sits on the mezzanine above.
Upstairs, the primary bedroom draws inspiration from Dune. The walls feature a sandy shade of limewash.
The bedroom includes a custom bed upholstered in Larsen fabric and a de Sede sofa. The primary bathroom is divided into two sections.
The vanity and toilet sit on the left. A soaking tub and shower occupy the right side of the room.
New travertine surfaces and waterproof tadelakt plaster match the bedroom walls. Flower-studded curtains hide the existing glass-block walls.
A Cozo pendant light hangs above a sculpture by Masako Miki.
Why it matters
The renovation shows how novelty architecture can adapt to everyday life. Theme houses often face complete demolition when new owners move in.
Instead of erasing the eccentric past, the new design embraces it. The subtle nods to Star Trek and Dune preserve the structural history while accommodating a growing family.
The project also highlights a shift toward sustainable materials. Biodegradable linoleum and natural limewash replace the synthetic, high-gloss finishes typical of late-1990s futuristic design.
The catch
Working with an existing sci-fi framework limits design options. The house still revolves around a massive central skylight and an unconventional mezzanine layout.
The original glass-block walls and heavy metal doors remain in place. These fixed elements forced the designers to adapt rather than start with a blank slate.
What to verify
Review local property records to confirm the exact date of the original Star Trek renovation. Check if the structural layout changes required special permits in the SoMa district.
Confirm the final project costs for the custom furnishings and specialized plasterwork.
Source trail
The original home tour and designer interview appeared in Architectural Digest. Additional project details are available through the Form + Field design portfolio.
