Mendocino Water Tower House & Studio

Fresh Take on Tradition

Completed: 2023

Location: Mendocino

Climate Conscious Measures:

• Art and Architect 

• Photovoltaics

• Pollinator Friendly Native Landscaping

The national historical town of Mendocino offers few opportunities to design and build new structures. The town’s Design Guidelines have not been updated since they were written in 1986 and discourage anything but gable-roofed wooden buildings. Luckily, that was exactly what the clients wanted, and Debra felt it was appropriate for the streetscape while removing an unsalvageable structure that had fallen into serious disrepair. Debra, her clients, and contractor worked with the neighbors & community to design a beautiful new building that references the qualities of the historical neighborhood, while not mimicking the style, but bringing forth a new interpretation of living in Mendocino, using new building techniques. Art & architecture blend to create a worthy studio space for the clients’ artistic and musical inspirations while creating, bathing and relaxing with spectacular ocean views.  

The form of the water tower includes a roof platform and functioning water tank, clad in wood to reference the redwood tanks from the past. Water is precious in Mendocino, and the clients valued the unique water storage solution from the past. Artistic expression in the form of fused glass windows enhance the space in the staircase and over the upstairs bathtub. Live edge wooden slab countertops are found in many of the north coast homes, a reference to the logging industry’s bountiful access to unique wooden shapes. Historical hardware and trim add to the effect of a reference to the past, with a current interpretation.