Gehry Protégé's 20-Acre Marin Home Lists for $4.4M

Architect Jeremy Kotas, a former protégé of Frank Gehry, has listed a custom-designed 20-acre property in Lagunitas, California, for $4.4 million. The residence, located at 200 Mountain King Road, represents a rare opportunity for buyers seeking a property with significant land and a unique architectural vision in the San Geronimo Valley. Listing agent Eric McFarland of The Agency described the property as having a combination of attributes that rarely come to market, with local experts deeming it one of the finest in the area.

The project began two decades ago when the original owners, Kenneth Hillan and Duncan Robertson, engaged Kotas to design a home on the vacant 20-acre parcel. Having previously worked with Kotas on a remodel of their San Francisco home, they were eager for him to approach the new project with a "blank sheet" of design freedom. Kotas, who received his architectural training at UC Berkeley and worked early in his career for Frank Gehry, is known for creating unconventional Bay Area homes that blend modernist principles with regional and historical influences. The owners stated that their collaboration with Kotas and his team was "endless fun," aiming for a home that was both contemporary and harmonized with its natural surroundings.

The design of the 3,361-square-foot residence incorporates passive solar principles, featuring extensive walls of glass and soaring ceilings strategically oriented to offer views of Mount Tamalpais. The home includes three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The kitchen is appointed with high-end amenities, including Poggenpohl cabinetry, Gaggenau appliances, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator and wine cooler. The property's landscape design was overseen by Bernard Trainor, complementing the architectural elements with the natural topography and views of surrounding mountains like Pine Mountain and Bolinas Ridge.

Kotas's architectural career is marked by his association with Frank Gehry, the renowned architect behind iconic structures such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Los Angeles' Walt Disney Concert Hall. This background has informed Kotas's distinctive approach to residential design, emphasizing innovation and a deep connection to the site. The Lagunitas property exemplifies this philosophy, offering a secluded retreat that maximizes its natural setting while providing a sophisticated living environment. The sale of this property presents a unique chance to acquire a significant piece of architectural work in a sought-after Marin County location.