Perched atop a hill in Marin County, Calif., a 4,280-square-foot, five-bedroom home, known
as Sugarloaf, provides its residents amazing 270-degree views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. In fact, the location is so spectacular that it is rumored the Dali Lama owned the home for about 10 years.
Built in the 1960s, the house had been carelessly modified through the years to adopt the elements of California’s Mid-century Modern style, but it remained very closed and boxy inside. In addition, the modifications were so haphazard that the structure had morphed into a tortured and seismically unstable agglomeration of past structures and additions with a second story literally built on the roof of the first story. The result was multiple structural deficiencies.
A Change in Plans
The clients asked Architect David Marlatt, principal/founder of DNM Architecture, and his team to open the interiors and maximize the home’s geographical benefits (bring in those views!); create a real primary suite on the second floor; and redo the outdated, dimly lit kitchen.
However, it didn’t take long to discover serious structural flaws lying beneath the surface. When the kitchen ceiling was opened, the renovation team discovered the second-story addition had been built over the previous roof without removing any of the tar roof. Additionally, the added upper floor was not connected properly to the walls of the already existing lower floor, which made the house in its then-current state extremely unstable in an earthquake. To make matters worse, some of the existing lower-floor walls were just sitting on the concrete slab without proper footings, and there was a considerable amount of dry rot further weakening the walls and base structure.
As a result of this discovery, the scope of the project was changed to include an extensive structural update.
Because part of the original plan was to open the interiors, some existing interior walls were already scheduled to be removed, and steel beams were to be installed to ensure proper seismic stability. Now, however, the first and second floor have been properly framed and joined from the inside using hold-downs and straps to correct the poor construction and dangerous hinge connections. The dry-rotted wood found around sill plates, windows and roof eaves that had resulted from improper sealing was also fully removed and replaced.
The original intent was to reinvent the home into the modernist architecture dwelling it aspired to be. Although this mission never changed, the structural update has secured the home properly and corrected all previous faulty and dangerous construction.
New Design
The redesign centers around a welcoming 2-story entry that anchors two wings of the home. The home’s existing footprint did not change, except for the new foyer created by pushing the front door out and removing some faux roof elements to make the wall flush. Visitors now enter through a stunning atrium, walled almost entirely by glass. On the right side of the atrium opposite the stairs, in preparation for aging-in-place, a pneumatic vacuum elevator was installed to connect the upper and lower floors.
On axis with the front door and across the foyer, the sweeping views of San Francisco and the entire Bay Area are immediately on display. The strong indoor-outdoor connection in the living room is made with large windows and a three-panel accordion folding glass door. The view continues as the eye reflexively sweeps to the right to take in the dining room defined by a peninsula fireplace room divider.
A wall separating the dining room from the modernized kitchen was removed. The difference is striking in the efficiency of flow and space (not having to pass through a narrow doorway) and the abundance of light (now uninhibited by a wall).
To the left of the entry foyer, a hall leads past the rebuilt staircase to a separate family room, a pair of guest rooms and two remodeled bathrooms.
The second floor was overhauled to fulfill the clients’ dreams of a true primary suite: They now have a full wing of the home to themselves. At the top of the rebuilt modern staircase is a walkway bridge that spans the front entry, giving a grand view from the second floor. To the left, the new luxurious primary bedroom sits opposite a spa-like primary bathroom, which includes dual sinks, dual toilets, a large
walk-in shower and a balcony with a view. Each spouse also has his or her own custom-designed walk-in closet. This is truly a space for the owners to relax, rejuvenate and get ready for the day; in fact, large windows in front of each bathroom sink put the north bay on full display.
Two additional bedrooms and a bathroom complete the second floor.
The exterior of the home also received a modern update. Remnants of the original single-story roof were removed, and the home received a new coat of bright white stucco—a color change from the previous beige. Windows were completely replaced throughout, and minor repairs were made to the roof to complete the visual transformation of the main home. A pool and detached accessory dwelling unit are in the planning phases and will complete the composition.
Transformed
Architecture tells a story, whether intentional or not. This project is the story of a neglected house that has been reinvented into a confident home with two wings flanking a core entry and living room in a most welcoming gesture. Its large windows frame inspiring views of the San Francisco Bay while generous roofs express both shelter and exuberance. Sugarloaf is finally the modernist home it was intended to be.
PHOTOS: Jamie Leasure unless otherwise noted
Retrofit Team
Architect: DNM Architecture
Contractors: Filshie Enterprises and Endora Builders
Structural Engineer: WM Structural Engineering
Civil Engineer: DeBolt Civil Engineering
Interior Designer: Martin Kobus Home
Materials
Appliances: Miele
Floors: European Oak from Johnson Hardwood
Cabinets: Durabella Custom Cabinetry
Windows and Doors: Ultimate from Marvin
Bath Faucets: Loure and Ribbon from Kohler
Bath Sinks: Kohler
Fireplace: Ortal
Suspended Lighting: Perpetual from ET2 Contemporary Lighting
Stucco: LaHabra
Elevator: PVE
Structural Straps: Simpson Strong-Tie
