Built to last, energy efficient, eco-friendly.

Our clients wanted their 70’s home fully remodeled to take advantage of the one of-a-kind spectacular bay view, to modernize the home with a classic but contemporary look, and to be totally green with all material choices. From time to time we are fortunate enough to work with clients who inspire us - clients with projects that tap into our creativity and challenge us to stretch. This is the story of such a client and project.

The site has world-class views stretching from the San Rafael/Richmond Bridge to Angel Island, San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. It could easily have been a tear down. It could have been a new home and any other homeowner would probably have made that choice. But with the owner’s sincere interest in being very green - the decision was made to keep the original home - and to remodel. We kept the footprint, kept the entry foyer, kept the majority of the structure (with seismic upgrades), kept the rooflines, kept the rooms in the same places. But the mid-century home received a whole home facelift as well as a complete energy efficient upgrade.

Levinson Residence featured in the September 2009 issue of Marin Magazine. You can read it online.

Levinson Residence remodel featured in the Real Estate section of the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday July 12, 2009. Read online at SFGate.com.

The old painted grey T1-11 siding was weathered, beyond its useful life. The siding dated the 50’s home and did not give it a contemporary look the owners were looking for. The majority of the exterior doors in the home were single glazed aluminum sliders. The expansive eaves were great for energy efficiency but horrible in appearance - enclosed with warping plywood. The decks were coated with a worn elastomeric membrane. The lighting and window coverings were inadequate and dated. The bathroom countertops were laminate and all fixtures old. The main kitchen and adjoining breakfast room as well as the lower floor guest kitchen were small, dark and cut off from the main ceremonial rooms of the home. The rooms did not take advantage of the views and they were not inviting for guests to enjoy.

This entire home remodel is a fine example of true teamwork. Every trade took great care in their work and truly wanted to create world-class craftsmanship. Our clients led the team with their enthusiasm for doing all work well, their dedication to energy efficiency and the use of eco-friendly products.

Warm earth tones were used in our choice of colors and materials throughout the home. Soft grey greens reflect the color of the Bay beyond and warm golden tones and taupe used against the backdrop of the native dry summer grasses. All wood products are FSC certified from the exterior cedar siding to the flooring, cabinetry and interior doors. No VOC paints are used throughout with a few highlighted walls using an earthen interior wall finish. New spectacular Fleetwood sliding doors have a special coastal finish for durability, high UV and low E glazing and come with all stainless steel hardware. Decks are now finished with stone on a pedestal system over a durable roof and all flashings and gutters are copper to maximize durability in a marine environment. The gutters are sized up to handle the flow of additional water, which is to be harvested in large cisterns to collect rainwater for year round landscape irrigation. Every aspect of this remodel is eco-friendly, energy efficient and now – world class!

Click here to read what the Marin Independent Journal had to say about this exceptional home...