Tucked into the hills of Marin County, a striking new residence deftly settles into its surroundings. San Francisco-based architect Andrew Mann designed the 7,000-square-foot, four-bedroom home for a local couple seeking a retreat that felt gracious, welcoming and deeply connected to its woodland setting.
The hilltop property came with steep topography, sweeping valley views — and a rambling old vacation home, built in First Bay Tradition style in the 1890s for a San Francisco family. Even though the home didn’t meet the standards for historic preservation, Mann saved the oldest part of the house, with its steep rooflines and signature gables, while completely rebuilding the inside and expanding the footprint.
“We essentially picked up the existing house, turned it and moved it to the edge of the ridge to optimize the quintessential California views and allow for additional outdoor space with a pool and pool house,” Mann says. “We kept the form and the character of the original structure, but we rebuilt it entirely to create something luxurious and elegant.”
The resulting home feels at once grounded and light-filled, blending traditional wood gables and cedar siding with sleek metal finishes and rectangular shapes for a contemporary feel. Materials like wood, stone, bronze and copper were chosen for longevity and tactility. The patinated stainless steel roof, which mimics the look of zinc, is intended to complement the surrounding metal finishes, even as they evolve over time.
Interior Designer Antonio Martins traces the idea for the metal window and door casings back to a dark bronze sculpture he once saw on his travels. “It all began with that piece, “he says, “I love the texture and the richness of the bronze — it has this timeless feel that’s so beautiful.”
Floor-to-ceiling glass also keeps the stunning natural surroundings ever-present. Even the primary bath opens to a private sun deck. “We’re interested in views through spaces to the outdoors,” Mann explains. “There’s always a visual anchor, whether it’s the garden, a sculpture or just the light coming through a specific opening.”
The house, built by San Francisco-based Oarcon, feels warm and welcoming despite its impressive scale. One of Mann’s primary goals was to design the home in such a way that it could flex between everyday family living and large-scale entertaining. The homeowners, who often host gatherings with friends and extended family, wanted spaces that could adapt, whether hosting an intimate weekend brunch or a dinner party for two dozen guests.
That balance plays out in the elongated dining room, which opens onto the trellised pool deck via expansive, multipanel sliding glass doors. Close the doors, and the room becomes a formal space framed in bronze; open them, and the space flows effortlessly into the sun-drenched courtyard and alfresco entertaining area. The spacious kitchen can also be closed off from the dining room via pocketing textured glass doors…