Walking Tour: Donald MacDonald’s Cottage Infill Homes in San Francisco
Discover San Francisco's Hidden Cottages: A Walking Tour with Hans Baldauf
Step back into the 1980s and explore one of San Francisco’s most creative approaches to urban infill housing. Visionary architect Donald MacDonald transformed vacant lots in the Lower Haight and Duboce Park neighborhoods into clusters of charming 20x20 cottages; compact, affordable homes designed around the timeless desire for a recognizable house with private outdoor space. MacDonald’s inventive strategies navigated tight city codes and budgets while preserving dignity and livability.
Now, 40 years later, these hidden architectural gems stand as a smart, human scaled model for today’s housing challenges. Join noted architect Hans Baldauf for a guided tour uncovering the history, design ideas, and lasting impact of these unique cottage communities.
This walking tour will visit four sites to learn more about MacDonald's strategies. Out of the four sites, we will be touring inside one cottage.
Center for Architecture + Design Exhibition
Do Not Try to Remember: The American School of Architecture in the Bay Area
On view: February 20, 2025 – August 14, 2025
In the mid-20th century, a group of renegade architects broke all the rules, shaping a uniquely American vision of design. Now, their work comes to life in Do Not Try to Remember: The American School of Architecture in the Bay Area, an archival exhibition.
- The tour will start promptly at 2:00 PM so come early to find parking!
- You’ll be walking so dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes!
- As this is a walking tour, we don't recommend this for people with mobility issues.
As we’ll be touring the inside of one of the cottages, please remember this is someone’s home. We ask that everyone be respectful while inside.
| 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM |
Meet outside of Duboce Park Cafe Corner of Sanchez and Duboce Address: 2 Sanchez St, San Francisco, CA 94114 |
| 2:00 PM | Walking Tour Starts |
| 4:00 PM | Walking Tour Ends |