The Sea Ranch

Considered one of the earliest ecological designs, the vision of The Sea Ranch reflected the emerging environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s. The plot of land 100 miles north of San Francisco was purchased by Hawaiian real estate developers Castle & Cooke who intended to develop a “new town.” Fortunately they were convinced by company vice-president Al Boeke, working in collaboration with noted landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, that a development of “second-homes” would be a more appropriate use of the land.

The two primary architectural firms recommended by Halprin were Joseph Esherick & Associates and the emerging Berkeley firm MLTW (Moore, Lyndon, Turnbull & Whitaker). Mai Arbegast acted as consultant for the development. Barbara Stauffacher Solomon was responsible for The Sea Ranch graphics, including the Supergraphics for the interior of Athletic Club #1. Although each firm was working independently, they arrived at a complementary design aesthetic that reflected Bay Region traditions of local materials, climate, life-style, and a sensitivity to landscape. The Sea Ranch is considered the birth place of the Third Bay Region Style.