Architect’s Test Lab and Family Home
A small modest home built on a $2500 lot, the site of an abandoned eucalyptus oyster pole farm. 20 La Salle Rd., Hillsborough, CA. The family home was designed, and in later expansions built by William Whifler with a little help from his children. As the family grew, so did the house. From 1952 to 1965 the home underwent over eight additions, each serving as a test laboratory for new materials and design concepts that were incorporated into clients designs.
Workings of a kitchen expansion are revealed in the joined beams. Darker section on the left was the edge of an exterior overhang. Note the load bearing concrete block column on left with butting into its side, and steel support to the wood 4X12 above. This design was used in the Ringwood and Drake residences among others.
Home Workspaces.
At home Whifler divided his time between architecture/drafting, creating in the woodshop, and servicing and building TV’s and radios in his electronics lab.