Sausalito Hillside Remodel | Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects

The renovation of this building transforms a two-unit 1940's ranch-style house perched on a steeply sloping hillside into a serene, single-family retreat. the existing house had been compromised by several modifications, including a second unit entered through a bathroom, as well as landscaping designed to mitigate further damage from a landslide in the 1980's.

Our client asked us to combine the two units and to make the most of a panoramic view that stretches from San Francisco to the north to Richardson Bay. The overly-complicated geometry of the existing house interrupted the view, and the existing house fully occupied all of the available building envelope allowed by local planning regulations.

Our strategy was to make the most of the view by replacing the least: we removed and rebuilt the upper level of the existing house while preserving and strengthening the entirety of the building's lower levels and street-level garage. This approach saved over 50% of the building's habitable floor area, including the original foundation. The energy saved by renovation could never be matched even by the most sustainable new construction.

By replacing the jumble of roof forms that had aggregated over time with a simple, flat roof floating over the entire volume, the house becomes a light-filled aerie. New cascading garden terraces create an inviting entry sequence. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows and generous ceiling heights allow the living spaces to flow uninterrupted from the lush hillside garden, to a broad, ever-changing panorama of the San Francisco bay. The main living space that includes living, dining, and kitchen hovers between land and water. As a result, the striking sense of flight induced by the soaring view is anchored by a strong connection to the site.

The upper level also includes an intimate library, and master bedroom suite with a sky-lit bath and a glass-railed balcony. The master bedroom and living area are connected by a sliding door that, when open, allows the full sweep of the view to be experienced. A new central stair links the primary living spaces to a floor below, which features a multi-purpose studio, media room, and bedroom suite. Quiet detailing and a simple palette of materials focus attention on the space and light.