One of the earliest homes designed by Santa Monica–based architect Thane Roberts is up for grabs. The celebrated architect is known for his adventurous nature: After embarking on a nine-year, 30,000-mile sailing trip throughout the Pacific Ocean, he returned to Santa Monica and developed a philosophy called "evo-tecture," which prioritizes ecologically minded residential designs.



Raised-bed gardens line the walkway at the entrance to the Santa Monica home and help to transform the 1981 property into the serene environment that Roberts initially envisioned.

Originally built in 1981, the multistory home sits tucked away on a lush lot in Santa Monica, California, just blocks from the beach. Although it appears to be modestly sized from the exterior, the dwelling actually spans 2,369 square feet, offering a total of five bedrooms and four bathrooms.



A sun-kissed living area features wood-clad walls with custom built-in shelving.



To the right of the home’s central staircase, the primary living room includes tall ceilings and an original red-brick fireplace.

Inside, the wood-clad walls, floors, and ceilings evoke a warm aesthetic paired with a neutral palette, which is signature to the architect’s style. Double-height living areas strengthen the sense of space throughout the interior, while loft-like mezzanine levels create more intimate corners where residents and guests can gather.



The view from the back of the living room showcases one of the upper mezzanine levels.

"My favorite part of the house is the placement of the windows and skylights," explains the architect. "When the windows and doors are open, you can smell the salty air and feel the ocean breeze. While the space was designed to allow streams of sunshine to filter throughout the day, at night it becomes illuminated by the glow of the moon," he continues.



An exposed wooden beam serves as a subtle divider between the open dining area and kitchen.

Last sold in 2019, the dwelling has been thoughtfully updated by its current owners, who prioritized enhancing the ease of indoor/outdoor living throughout the structure. According to listing agent Frank Langen, the property "is one of the most special homes" in Los Angeles’s Rustic Canyon area. "What draws the prospective buyer to the house is the integration of nature with the dwelling, which you can feel as soon as you arrive," Langen says.



Greenhouse-inspired glazing invites additional sunlight inside the corner kitchen, which is anchored by a large wooden island and fitted with top-of-the-line appliances.



A peek at the view from one of the upper levels, which overlooks the ground-floor living areas.

On the upper level, the residence also features a quiet study area, as well as a large creative studio, which comes with both canyon and ocean views. Scroll ahead to see more of the tree house–like property, which is currently listed for $3,885,000.



In total, the property includes five bedrooms-four of which are inside the main residence, with one guest suite just beyond the house. The primary bedroom comes with its own private terrace.



The en suite bathroom includes a double-sink vanity, oversize soaking tub, and walk-in closet.



The principal bedroom’s adjacent terrace is surrounded by mature trees, ensuring ample privacy.



On the top floor, a cozy study includes a circular, stained-glass window that infuses the space with whimsical flair.



Right off the study area, a creative studio wrapped with windows and skylights can also serve as an additional bedroom or home office.



One of the four bathrooms is dressed with light-gray tiles and boasts a large glass shower.



Edison lights illuminate the spacious brick patio in the backyard, presenting a charming corner for memorable entertaining after the sun goes down.