Mill Valley Residence

Marin County, CA

The Mill Valley Residence, located on the eastern slope of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, is a 6,500 square foot modern home designed to integrate seamlessly into a steep and wooded hillside. The project features articulated volumes and clean lines that minimize visual impact while maintaining expansive views of the surrounding landscape. Extensive cuts into bedrock—up to 20 feet deep—were required to create a stable foundation, leading to the use of tall retaining walls and advanced geotechnical coordination to secure the home into the terrain.

FTF Engineering provided the structural design, developing drilled pier and grade beam foundations supported by steel moment frames, cantilevered columns, and strategically placed plywood shear walls. Three-dimensional modeling was used to analyze the complex foundation and retaining systems, allowing the team to avoid oversized footings or tiebacks. Steel beams minimized floor and roof depths over large spans, enhancing openness and the indoor-outdoor connection central to the design. Collaborating with Quezada Architects and Nestler Construction, FTF helped create a contemporary home that balances technical precision with a natural, understated presence in the hillside setting.