Within its 3,500-sq-ft footprint, the two-storey residence encompasses four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths, perfectly suited for the homeowner, his wife and two children. 

Acknowledging that the site’s natural advantages would play a commanding role, the design team embraced the waterfront location by opting for a design typical of a classic Californian home—seamless indoor-outdoor living with wide and direct pathways throughout the property to facilitate movement while preserving seclusion from neighbouring properties.

Don’t miss: Home tour: A waterfront home in Jakarta built on stilts to mitigate land sinking

The pathways bring together a series of connected rooms, each carefully composed room faces the water, offering uninterrupted views of the bay and distant mountains. 

To expand the living space within strict building restrictions, the architects integrated a hybrid courtyard at the structure’s heart. This not only dissolves boundaries between interior and exterior spaces, but also provides respite from the wind and the everchanging bay climate.

Read more: Malayan shophouses: The architectural heritage of Singapore and Malaysia

“We have also installed a deepwater dock during the initial phase of construction, a rare feature for homes in Belvedere,” Engel shares. “The client, who grew up in a nautical environment in his native Scandinavia, had a sailboat at the SF Yacht Club in Belvedere and kept a Boston Whaler at home, allowing him to easily navigate around the point to the marina.”

See also: Home tour: A quiet luxury home by the peaceful waters of the Hamptons

Together with lead interior designer Sabra Ballon, the Butler Armsden team infused cohesive material transitions throughout the space. 

Wood and stucco accompany floor-to-ceiling cantilevered and sliding glass doors that open up the living areas to the nautical panorama, whereas Thermory–a cedar-like material enhanced to withstand extreme weather conditions—and Portuguese limestone connect the design narrative between the indoor and outdoor areas, keeping the spaces warm and inviting.

Don’t miss: Talking hospitality, craft and honest design with Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa

“The outdoor dining room is a highlight for us,” Engel elaborates. “It connects to the indoor kitchen, with a countertop that can be accessed from both sides, creating a versatile indoor-outdoor cooking and serving area.”

The primary bathroom similarly capitalises on the setting: “Here, a floating vanity set against a floor-to-ceiling glass window allows for stunning views of the bay and Mount Tamalpais from every part of the bathroom,” the managing principal continues.

Read more: Home tour: A nautical-themed home in Vancouver, Canada for a family of eight

Furthermore, the San Francisco-based firm also took measures to address environmental considerations and city regulations, resulting in a harmonious fusion of form and function that contributes to the home’s overall sustainability efforts.  

Designed to meet Base Flood Elevation requirements, the home is equipped with a 12kW solar system and two Tesla power walls. Besides that, an underground rainwater harvesting system supplies landscape irrigation.

See also: 5 considered resolutions for the modern home

“At the heart of each project, our goal is to design homes that are imbued with the essence of our clients’ unique lifestyles,” Engel concludes. “Our collaborative process and holistic approach to design allow us to harmonise modern lifestyles with environmental responsibility while also tailoring to our client’s needs.”

NOW READ

Why is it important to build homes that withstand climate change?

Tropicana Lido Waterfront Boulevard: Pioneering cross-border living in Johor Bahru

Chinese New Year 2025: 5 home makeover tips for the Year of the Snake