This modern waterfront home was designed by Butler Armsden Architects to offer amazing privacy and views, nestled along the San Francisco Bay, California. The goal of this project was to create a minimalist, sophisticated yet unpretentious, home on the water for family living.

The design process began by studying the site context with an eye to the owner’s Scandinavian heritage. The property had an aging 1960s ranch house tear-down, located on a flat waterfront lot, with unobstructed bay and mountain views beyond, but was constrained on two sides and by a busy street at the front.

DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Butler Armsden Architects GENERAL CONTRACTOR Fontana Construction

The design concept emphasizes horizontal lines and blurs the boundary between inside and outside to create a voluminous and expansive feeling for this 3,500-square-foot home. Simple geometries are cantilevered and extended to create sculptural outdoor rooms and courtyards that take advantage of the Bay Area climate while still providing relief from wind and sun.

The home is clad in Thermory, a cedar-like material enhanced to withstand extreme weather and Portuguese limestone that seamlessly moves from inside to out. Côte d’Azur limestone floors continue through the property from the entrance, through the courtyard, house, and beyond to the waterfront patio.

The three modestly sized bedrooms upstairs evoke the feeling of smart cabin rooms on a cruise ship with floor-to-ceiling, water-facing windows stretching the home’s width. The children’s bedrooms have a hidden sliding door between them, allowing them to maximize play space when desired, but also provide privacy when needed.

What We Love: This waterfront home has amazing curb appeal on the street side, providing privacy and a unique design aesthetic. On the backside of the property, the home opens up to the most incredible views of the San Francisco Bay. There are so many details to love about this home, from the material palette to the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces. Care and thought went into every square inch, making this home unique and one of a kind. 

Tell Us: Would this waterfront property be your idea of the ultimate dream house? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Have a look at a couple of other sensational home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the state of California: A 1920s Spanish Revival home gets a dreamy refresh in San Francisco and A warehouse loft offers an industrial chic live/work home in San Francisco.

The steel, concrete, and glass structure rests on an innovative net-zero load foundation system with active site drainage to handle tidal surges. With continuous floors and ceilings, the interior and exterior become one when the multi-slide glass walls are retracted.

Above: The views of the Bay can be enjoyed from the back of the home, while the front of the home is closed off from the busy street.

Systems include radiant heat, split system air conditioning, home automation, integral audio, video security, solar panels, home battery backup, gas generator backup, irrigation reservoir, folding garage door, and stainless steel spa.

PHOTOGRAPHER Jason O’Rear