Sim Van der Ryn-Designed Architectural ‘Guitar House’ Can Be Yours For $29-Million

Corte Madera, California, United States, 94925

While seemingly miles away from everything, this property is remarkably convenient. Among the Bay Area’s most prestigious communities, this location offers the privilege of peace amid the magnificence of nature, yet is just 10 miles to San Francisco. Rarely is there a home of this magnitude – one so unique in its remarkable collection of ecological materials, built with absolute respect for the environment, and yet magnificently appointed with chic sophistication. This unparalleled offering is the culmination of the owners’ vision to create one of the largest ecologically correct homes in America, all while celebrating art, form, and function. Taking 5 years to complete, this spectacular estate home is a triumph of architectural design by Sim Van der Ryn. The setting unfolds over approx. 11 all-organic acres with verdant views across rolling hillsides and out to the iconic San Francisco skyline.

This world-class compound is a total of approx. 13,635 square feet. The main residence spans approx. 9,725 square feet, and is arranged over 2 levels with a five-star master suite located in its own wing and 3 additional bedrooms in a separate wing. The main residence also boasts a professional music studio and home theatre. Guests are easily accommodated in a separate home with 2 bedrooms, while quarters for staff members include ample office locations. An integrated fitness center, wine cellar, and regulation racquetball court complete the accommodations. Befitting this estate built with utmost respect for the environment, the grounds are equally sustainable and fully organic with native California landscaping and towering eucalyptus trees. Commercial-quality fruit and vegetable gardens create a farmer’s market milieu, a sun-swept pool, spa, and sport court provide endless hours of fitness and recreation, and strolling paths wind in endless succession for taking in the property’s beauty and enjoying its iconic views. It’s on the market for $29,000,000 with Sotheby’s International Realty.

Private Residence, Corte Madera, California – “Perched on a site overlooking the San Francisco Bay and Mt. Tamalpais this house integrates energy and material conservation, land stewardship and regenerative living systems. The house incorporates earth construction to reduce cement use – a major source of carbon dioxide. Through a collaborative effort between the owner, architect, builder and consultants, we added to the growing body of knowledge about the design, testing and construction of new earth building technologies. The south face is designed to allow a majority of the rooms to be naturally daylit and passively heated by allowing the sun to penetrate the building envelope at appropriate times of the year. The sun’s heat is absorbed by the thermal mass of the floors and walls and radiates out during the cool nights. The owner requested that only reclaimed or certified sustainably harvested woods be used for framing and finishes. Sources include reclaimed wood from the original house on the site, from military buildings dismantled at the Presidio of San Francisco and from a variety of certified sustainable mills in the United States.”