Hilltop Haven

Perched in the Marin County hills with commanding views of Mount Tamalpais, this residence is designed as a serene sanctuary that dissolves the boundary between domestic life and the surrounding oak woodlands. Rooted in the firm’s philosophy of “site-specific” design, the architecture frames the landscape as a living canvas, using deep overhangs and expansive glazing to capture the shifting light and fog unique to the region. The home is a study in tactile materiality and collaboration. A massive, custom-fabricated pivot door anchors the entry, immediately establishing a visual axis through the home to the hills beyond. Inside, the spaces are defined by a rich, organic palette that balances modern precision with warmth. The living area features a sculptural stone fireplace and floor-to-ceiling glass that invites the tree canopy inside, while a monumental custom wood shelving system—crafted by John Dufficy—serves as both a functional library and a display for the client’s art collection. In collaboration with Barrow and Fourth, the interiors were curated to feel both gallery-like and deeply grounded. Features such as the monolithic stone dining table and geometric glass pendants sit beneath skylights that wash the space in natural light. The result is a home that feels simultaneously expansive and intimate—a “modern vernacular” retreat that honors the craft of building and the majesty of its setting.