One of the earliest homes designed by Santa Monica–based architect Thane Roberts is up for grabs. The celebrated architect is known for his adventurous nature: After embarking on a nine-year, 30,000-mile sailing trip throughout the Pacific Ocean, he returned to Santa Monica and developed a philosophy called “evo-tecture,” which prioritizes ecologically minded residential designs.

Originally built in 1981, the multistory home sits tucked away on a lush lot in Santa Monica, California, just blocks from the beach. Although it appears to be modestly sized from the exterior, the dwelling actually spans 2,369 square feet, offering a total of five bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Inside, the wood-clad walls, floors, and ceilings evoke a warm aesthetic paired with a neutral palette, which is signature to the architect’s style. Double-height living areas strengthen the sense of space throughout the interior, while loft-like mezzanine levels create more intimate corners where residents and guests can gather.

“My favorite part of the house is the placement of the windows and skylights,” explains the architect. “When the windows and doors are open, you can smell the salty air and feel the ocean breeze. While the space was designed to allow streams of sunshine to filter throughout the day, at night it becomes illuminated by the glow of the moon,” he continues.

Last sold in 2019, the dwelling has been thoughtfully updated by its current owners, who prioritized enhancing the ease of indoor/outdoor living throughout the structure. According to listing agent Frank Langen, the property “is one of the most special homes” in Los Angeles’s Rustic Canyon area. “What draws the prospective buyer to the house is the integration of nature with the dwelling, which you can feel as soon as you arrive,” Langen says.

On the upper level, the residence also features a quiet study area, as well as a large creative studio, which comes with both canyon and ocean views. Scroll ahead to see more of the tree house–like property, which is currently listed for $3,885,000.

375 Mesa Road, Santa Monica, California, is currently listed for $3,885,000 by Frank Langen of Deasy Penner Podley.

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A Tree House–Like Dwelling Near the Coastline Seeks $3.89M in Santa Monica, CA