Sea Ranch Condo 1 / info >

Unit 10 - The iconic tower unit of MLTW’s historic Condominium One had been severely compromised by a past remodel. The signature timber sheathing was buried under sheetrock, the original stairs were replaced with a metal spiral staircase that altered the second-floor level, odd greenhouse windows were added, and the floors were covered in a faux-Tuscan concrete finish. Another transgression was the complete removal of the iconic "four-poster" aedicula.

Commissioned by a dedicated Sea Rancher, our restoration and remodel began by stripping away all non-original additions. This forensic process uncovered extensive dry rot, requiring a complete reconstruction of the south elevation's redwood siding and sheathing. Repairing and restoring the entire outer wooden envelope allowed us to reclaim the facade of the internal core. This re-established one of MLTW's key concepts: creating another layer of shelter via a miniature house containing the kitchen, bath, and stairs, all set intentionally within the larger, volumetric barn space.

The new design seeks to balance historic clarity with modern livability, introducing critical acoustic isolation between the tower bedroom floors and bathrooms. Because it was not seismically feasible to anchor a replica of the original four-poster into the floor, the design introduces a layer of custom casework to suggest spaces within the larger volume. These new elements are clearly delineated from the original structure and can be removed in the future.

A new credenza and dining nook complement each other on opposite sides of the room, acting as architectural anchors that organize the large space. Taking cues from MLTW’s spatial layout, the credenza and storage frame a square rug. This creates a relaxed living area that serves as a visual imprint of the original room configuration. Finally, symmetrical shelving on either side of the patio doors visually ties this living space to both the dining nook and the renovated patio.