MILL VALLEY RESIDENCE

MARIN RESIDENCE

Key hallmarks of this modern residential project include:

Context-sensitive design that responds to hillside topography and Kentfields’s strict design-review standards
Emphasis on natural light, proportion, and spatial flow for everyday livability and wellness
Sustainable strategies aligned with California’s progressive building codes (energy efficiency, durable materials, and landscape harmony)
Refined modern coastal-contemporary aesthetic popular across Southern Marin (Belvedere, Tiburon, Mill Valley, Sausalito)

MILL VALLEY RESIDENCE

Nestled among the rolling hills, redwood groves, and natural beauty of Marin County, this contemporary residence exemplifies a contemporary approach: clean lines, abundant natural light, seamless indoor-outdoor living, and sustainable luxury that honors its stunning Northern California setting.

This Mill Valley project blends refined contemporary aesthetics with environmental responsibility. Large expanses of glazing flood the interiors with liquid-gold daylight while framing views of Mount Tamalpais and the surrounding landscape. Thoughtfully chosen materials that age beautifully—combined with strong indoor-outdoor connections through decks, terraces, and landscape integration—create a private sanctuary that feels both elevated and deeply connected to place.

BELVEDERE LAGOON RESIDENCE FEMA

Commissioned by a fun, athletic, and design-savvy French client, the home captures the best of both worlds: the elegance and proportion of classical French residences and the indoor-outdoor California lifestyle unique to Belvedere Lagoon. From the meticulously detailed interiors to the private dock and outdoor entertaining spaces, every element was designed for beauty, functionality, and joy.

Located in one of the Bay Area’s most exclusive waterfront enclaves, residents enjoy proximity to Tiburon’s shops and restaurants, ferry service to San Francisco, yacht clubs, and the natural beauty of Marin County — all from a private lagoon setting.

Orla Studios specializes in high-end coastal residences, FEMA-compliant new builds, and thoughtfully crafted homes that honor client vision while elevating everyday living. This classical French-inspired Belvedere Lagoon residence exemplifies our approach: tradition refined by modern luxury, sustainability, and exquisite detailing.

Experience the epitome of elegant lagoon living — where French sophistication meets California waterfront paradise.

BELVEDERE LAGOON RESIDENCE

Nestled on the shores of Belvedere Lagoon—a man-made waterway shaped in the 1930s by developer Harry B. Allen and the Belvedere Land Company through the dredging of marshland and the creation of new peninsulas—this residence belongs to a rare collection of mid-century homes that emerged in the 1950s when owners commissioned architects such as Joseph Esherick, Quincy Jones, George Rockrise, and others to explore open plans, expansive glazing, and seamless indoor-outdoor living.

The renovation of this particular lagoon-front house confronted the enduring challenges of maximizing panoramic water views and flooding the interiors with natural light while addressing flood resilience and modern performance standards.

A monumental glass pivot entry door now draws visitors directly into a light-filled inner courtyard that dissolves the boundary between house and lagoon, while carefully composed material selections, refined detailing, and an unbroken visual and physical connection from the master suite to the deck and dock transform daily life into an effortless expression of California waterfront living—where mornings begin with water at the threshold and evenings unfold in continuous dialogue with the lagoon’s shifting light and calm.

ROSS RESIDENCE

In the rolling hills of Ross, California, OSA meticulously restored a 1955 mid-century modern residence originally designed as the personal home of Marin County architect Hopper, an AIA Award winner. This Hopper Award-winning residence had fallen into disrepair; OSA returned it to its structural footprint and reimagined it for contemporary Silicon Valley clients who are passionate mid-century enthusiasts.

The renovation reinforced the original wood post-and-beam system with steel columns, piers, a new moment frame, and a long steel collector beam spanning the view side, while preserving the home’s seamless indoor-outdoor connection through floor-to-ceiling doors, clerestory windows, and expansive glazing that frames the valley views toward the San Anselmo seminary.

Salvaged mahogany wall boarding, locally sourced Heath tiles, floating stairs, a gourmet kitchen with cantilevered stone counters, and thoughtfully integrated sustainable features (including LED lighting) honor the home’s mid-century roots while delivering modern livability, energy efficiency, and timeless elegance—resulting in a restoration that celebrates Marin’s architectural heritage.