Embracing the quintessential summer cottages of Mill Valley, California, New Redwood Canopy Retreat breathed new life into an existing house while adding brand new construction to the steep 29-foot grade differential site. Designed by Richardson Pribuss Architects and built by Sausalito Construction, the main house, which evokes the charm of a series of small, wooded cabins, is comprised of three distinct structures. The first encases the kitchen and a bedroom; the second, a living area, dining room, and family space; and the third, a guest room and master suite.

Situated to the north of the property is an accessory dwelling unit fourth cabin accessible by an existing railroad tie path. “These ‘cabins’ are connected by low-profile breezeways, which look out on the trees and the patios so that you never forget where you are as you travel from cabin to cabin,” the project application reads. Nodding to Northern California tradition, public steps, lanes, and paths (SLPs) were developed in the 1880s to connect all the summer cottages. The SLPs still exist for convenience and for both fire and seismic evacuation exits.

The home’s exterior façade is stained wood siding with dark bronze railings and window frames, while the roofs are a medium metal gray designed to accept solar panels. Existing trees and healthy woodlands pull the new improvements together to create a warm and welcoming entry sequence along the new and existing paths.

Project Details
Award: Merit
Category: Production, Semi-Custom, or Spec: 3,500 Square Feet or Less
Architect: Richardson Pribuss Architects
Builder: Sausalito Construction
Location: Mill Valley, California
Size: 5,350 square feet