Lovell Residence

The Lovell Residence in Mill Valley, California, is the result of a fifteen-year transformation of an existing mid-century modern structure. Quezada Architecture undertook a phased approach, executing three incremental additions on the half-acre wooded site. The project brief called for reviving the original 1950s framework while accommodating contemporary living. Over time, the architects worked within the constraints of the existing footprint, expanding the home to 4,300 square feet while maintaining strong visual and physical connections to the landscape. Central to the design is an open plan concept that extends interior space outward through large expanses of glass offering long canyon views. The integration of natural materials—warm redwood, rustic concrete, and natural stone—dissolves the boundary between interior and exterior environments. Exterior finishes are carried into living spaces, emphasizing continuity with the site. Volumes of the house are linked by a translucent steel and glass canopy that forms an entrance bridge, providing sheltered circulation while signaling arrival. The most recent addition involved enlarging the kitchen with a translucent glass roof, ensuring sustained natural illumination and channeling shifting shadows from surrounding redwoods across the ceiling, deepening the connection to the forested setting.

Typical architect fee for a 4,300 sq ft new home here: $89,000 – $253,000Full services, California · BLS wage and Census construction data

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