“Since they have settled into the home, one of the grandparents has moved in with them, and we’re happy to report that the house is functioning exactly as it was intended.”
So says Walker Warner Architects of the modern residence they created in Tiburon Bay, Marin Country, its elongated structure on a sloping, terraced plot mingling elegantly with views of the San Francisco Bay. Working off a gathering of images featuring the designs of architects Frank Lloyd Wright, Cliff May, William Wurster, and Joseph Esherick – collected and referenced by the homeowners – the firm “strove for a timeless simplicity that celebrates land, light, and nature.”
The sublime volume, likened more to a compound rather than a standalone building, features clean, sophisticated lines etched against the clear California horizon. Intended to house multiple generations, the home is infused with elements that enhance accessibility, mobility, and durability.
At the south-facing main entrance, half a level below the upper one, a sunken garden and broad stairs lead to a bold red door. Upstairs rests a family entrance, while the main living areas expand to the lower level, out into the pool and garden. An elevator eases access to all levels, while bathrooms are wheelchair-accessible. Along the property’s perimeter, a path allows for quiet walks in the garden.
“The owners really trusted the team – architect, interior designer, landscape architect – to bring their home to life, knowing that we shared a similar aesthetic and vision for the property,” the firm explains, adding that the inspirational mood board clarified the couple’s aesthetic.
Built into the natural environment, deep overhangs help lengthen and emphasise the building’s horizontal form, while asymmetrical windows and doors bring a sense of modernity and rhythm to its look. Fluid indoor-outdoor portals meld the inside with the outdoors, while pockets for communing as well as for private retreat are carved out throughout the space.
Enduring materials such as Aegean limestone, zinc, red cedar, concrete, and glass “create an efficient thermal building envelope, reducing energy and water use,” describes the firm. Inside, Basaltina stone and rift-sawn European white oak come together for nurturing, comfortable surrounds. “For us, the challenge was really about transforming how the building would be integrated into the land in a way that would capture the best features of the site, while creating an inclusive environment for multi-generational living.”
As well as reflecting their refined sensibility through the home’s overall look, the couple wanted their art to be part of the home’s design. Among their collection are contemporary pieces by the likes of Robert Rauschenberg, as well as a two-tonne bronze sculpture by Michele Oka Doner.
“Our favourite feature is how well the property functions for the family, as well as how inviting and intimate the home feels even though it has a significant program,” shares the firm. “By creating a residence that balances privacy and connectivity, while also framing its natural surroundings, we created a comfortable, inclusive environment for multi-generational living that is built to last.”
Photography by Laure Joliet
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