the tower house, artful living by the ocean
tucked into the stinson beach hillside among a grove of majestic redwoods, laurels and pines, the sound of a waterfall accompanies the nearby ocean waves. here lives the tower house, a special place where nature and unique form come together for artful living by the sea.
with only two owners since its creation, valentino agnoli, a renowned architect and master builder, designed this home in 1970. with his trademark style, the hand-built home uniquely spirals upward into the trees, providing three stories of functional sculpture with a rare 365-degree perspective of the natural world. it exists as a vertical form that unfolds like a nautical ladder, a sequence of connected spaces minimizing any disturbance to the land while embracing the surroundings. the seasonal air carries the scent of ocean, earth, and forest, and when here, one settles into the rhythm of mount tamalpais itself. views of the ocean are filtered, framed by tree trunks and their canopy. life slows here, allowing one to breathe and pause.
with over 70 glass windows, the ever-changing light moves across and through the home, bending softly to every architectural detail and nook. its earthy proportionate and clean lines are grounded with warm redwood and fir timbers. the upper floor rests under a handcrafted ceiling, a piece of art with its wood latticework as an interwoven pattern bringing rhythm to the space. this is where the interior gathering space exists with a charming cooking area that includes a gas range and a built-in dining area which provides a cozy nook for reading and dreaming. opposite the kitchen is a loft above a walk-in closet and an alcove with a small writer’s desk and casement window.
descending between floors, the middle and lower sleeping ensuites are connected by two beautifully dramatic staircases. each bedroom is rooted in craftsmanship yet elegant in its simplicity. both bedrooms have a shower room as well as a sink and toilet room, all with peek a boo views out to the ocean. moving to the outside, through the primary entrance, the composition of deck and exterior staircase bridge over to a newer, thoughtfully placed and well-designed custom-built art studio/bunk house, which sits lightly on the landscape. the scale is modest and cozy with a built-in desk and seating areas. a loft space for sleeping lives above the sitting area, and a large picture window looks out to the landscape. the separate studio was also executed with the same minimal disturbance to the surrounding ecosystem.
the tower house is a nature retreat as well as a gateway to west marin adventure. right out the door by foot, one can drop down into town and out to the 3.5-mile-long sandy beach, or instead ascend to a beautiful scenic climb through magical coastal terrain. the dipsea and matt davis trails are only footsteps away, practically running through the yard. one can spend the entire day exploring mount tam and never set foot in a car.
the tower house belongs to a lineage of west coast architecture that honors the land. her form is shaped by forest, light, and now hard-to-find materials. it carries a rare authenticity and influence where architecture dissolves into the landscape and becomes something felt as much as seen.
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