SEA RANCH

Site Visit

Sep 25

SEA RANCH

Sea Ranch landed on my bucket list of places to visit when I was studying architecture in college. Despite moving to the San Francisco Bay Area 10 years ago, I didn’t make it to Sea Ranch until recently, although its location is only three hours north of the city. Perhaps in my mind it felt like some far-off destination, mythical almost, due to its reputation as a modernist utopia.

Originally a 5,200 acre sheep ranch along 10 miles of California coastline, the design of Sea Ranch was entrusted to a group of architecture faculty from University of California, Berkeley in 1964, including planner and landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, and architects Joseph Esherick and MLTW (Charles Moore, Donlyn Lyndon, William Turnbull, Jr., Richard Whitaker). The vision was to create a progressive community based on ecological principles - creating homes that work with the existing topography and weather.

The first prototypes for the residences were a series of condo buildings, the first of which came to be known as Condominium #1 and is considered one of the most significant architectural designs in California from the 1960s. Over the years, the “Sea Ranch style” has become synonymous with a particular combination of shed roofs, muted wood-clad interiors and exteriors, asymmetric open plans, window seats and ladders, and lofted spaces.

Taking a personal retreat last month, I was fortunate to stay in Moore Condo #9 at Condominium #1, architect Charles Moore’s original residence. Driving up from San Francisco on the winding roads, there was an immediate sense of calm upon arriving - a raw, unspoiled quality pervades Sea Ranch which is a large part of its appeal. Despite being a carefully planned community, it feels decidedly “undeveloped” and unassuming.

Then there was the experience of staying at Moore Condo #9 which was, in a word, inspiring. Inspiring for its playfulness and experimentation, and for provoking curiosity and discovery through its design and the eclectic objects inside the space. In the interior design world, spaces can sometimes be too polished or too perfect. It was a good reminder for myself to stay curious, take risks, and embrace the unconventional.

Detail shot of entry way with wooden floors, narrow staircase, and walls. A white and yellow diamond pattern chair with a blue base in the left foreground — *Looking into the entry and stairs to the loft of Moore Condo #9*

View of the living and dining area with a wooden coffee on the left, a wooden-framed daybed with a blue mattress cover and yellow and white diamond pattern head board, large circular ornate mirror in the background. Red and white checkered wall. — *A view into the living and dining areas*

Window seating with ocean views. Wooden columns and banisters exposed. Blue upholstered built in bench frame the windows. View of the ocean in the window. — *Window seating with ocean views*

Iron fireplace in front of a wall with star-like wood panelling and cutouts with abalone shells placed inside. — *Fireplace*

Fireplace wall detail with star-like wood details and cut outs with abalone shells and small items inside. — *Fireplace wall detail*

Kitchen underneath lofted space with daybed and chair in the foreground. — *Kitchen underneath lofted space*

Bedroom with bath behind. White bedding and pillow cases on the bed. — *Bedroom with bath behind*

View from the main bed with linen window coverings rolled up, exposing ocean views. — *View from the main bed*

Lofted bed framed by vertical blue wooden walls — *Lofted bed with skylight*

Loft closet and bath view with gray painted wooden walls — *Loft closet and bath view*

Moore Condo #9 can be booked via Sea Ranch Escapes.

All photography by Christine Lin.

Christine Lin

SEA RANCH

SEA RANCH

FORM + FIELD | HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

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