Residence with a View

This residence was designed for a young family and their daughter. The family had lived in the existing house for 6 years prior to contemplating a major renovation and addition when they finally decided to hire an Architect – they needed more space and a better house that was family-friendly and equipped for entertaining their friends and frequent guests.

The clients program called for a light-filled, family-friendly and contemporary design that would maximize their 180-degree views from the city skyline to the Mt. Tam views. They also wanted to create public and private areas, with the main living level to be used or entertaining and family activities, a third story bedroom level for a separate sleeping area upstairs, and the bottom level being reserved for a guest suite and music room.

The house sits up on a knoll, in a quiet cul de sac, with commanding views of San Francisco to the south and Mt. Tamalpais to the west. Upon examining the site, an oak woodland to the east and a steep landscaped hill to the north dictated that the existing house footprint remain, and that set the stage for the design.

Inside, our clients wanted warm, contemporary spaces suitable for their art collection and rooms which easily expanded outdoors to take advantage of California’s more relaxed lifestyle. The result is sophisticated with organic interiors, cedarwood exterior, and generous windows that pull in light, breezes, and views.