- Project: Mill Valley Cabins
- Architect: Feldman Architecture
- Location: United States, Mill Valley, California
- Year: 2010
- Area: 880 m2
- Photography: Joe Fletcher
Designed by Feldman Architecture, the Mill Valley Cabins project in Mill Valley, California, comprises two distinct structures purpose-built for a retired couple seeking spaces for artistic creation, yoga, and reflection. These modest yet elegant retreats are carefully embedded within a densely wooded hillside, offering serenity, privacy, and connection with nature.
A Site-Sensitive Approach to Design
Faced with a steep and wooded terrain populated by redwoods and pines, the architects opted for a minimal intervention strategy. Instead of designing one large building, they separated the program into two small cabins—a guest suite and an art & yoga studio—carefully positioned between the trees to avoid extensive regrading or site disruption. This thoughtful placement allows each cabin to capture unique forest views while maintaining a harmonious relationship with the land.
“We separated the art & yoga studio from the guest suite into small, removed structures and dug them into the steep hillside. The upper cabin overlooks the lower, which is largely hidden behind its artfully planted garden roof.” — Jonathan Feldman
Eco-Friendly Materials and Green Roofs
The cabins are constructed from wood, glass, and metal, materials chosen to blend with the natural surroundings. A defining feature of the lower studio is its green roof, designed by landscape expert Jori Hook, which acts as both an aesthetic and ecological asset. The vegetated surface functions as a garden canvas for the homeowner’s love of gardening, while also helping the cabin merge into the hillside visually and environmentally.
Interior Harmony and Purposeful Simplicity
Inside, the design leans toward minimalism, featuring clean lines and abundant natural light. These interiors serve as calm sanctuaries for creativity and mindfulness—ideal for painting, yoga, or simply enjoying the quietude of the forest. The artist’s studio looks over the planted roof of the lower cabin, which becomes a living work of art in itself.
Sustainability and Integration
Environmental sensitivity runs throughout the project. Collaborators like Yu Strandberg Engineering and Miller Pacific Engineering Group ensured the structures perform well while having a light footprint on the land. By separating functions into compact structures and incorporating green roofs, the cabins represent regenerative design principles embraced by Feldman Architecture.
