Favorites

Renovated in stages over the course of a decade, a home in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood proves the power of thoughtful design using humble materials.

Tucked away at the end of a long, private driveway, the Nine-Square House appears as an inviting cube-like volume in the middle of a forest.

Jared built many of the home’s furnishings by hand—including the bed frames.

In addition to being surrounded by olive trees, the property is also bordered by a stream and dotted with ancient rock formations, enhancing the overall sense of peace and privacy.

The property is surrounded by olive trees, bordered by a stream, and dotted with rock formations.

Having bought and restored several quirky properties in Washington over the years, including a five-story tree house and a 100-year-old barracks, architect Jason F. McLennan and his wife, artist Tracy McLennan, bought the camp-like retreat in 2020—even though it had no power or running water at the time and is on a secluded island with no ferry service.

The house was designed to minimally interfere with the hilltop vegetation, which is what attracted the family to the site.

The couple love the home’s privacy and the way it interacts with the environment. They describe certain rooms as feeling like being inside a treehouse with views out to the surrounding forest canopy.

From the garden, an illuminated view into the bi-level extension.