The Bay Area's real estate market is known for its architectural gems, and the latest listing in Kensington, CA, is no exception. The "Music House," designed by the iconic minimalist architect Beverley Thorne, has hit the market for $1.6 million. A trailblazer of the mid-century modern movement, Thorne earned recognition for his innovative use of materials and his ability to build on challenging sites. He famously constructed homes on steep hillsides and employed steel to transcend traditional construction limits.

The current listing for the Music House at 38 Sunset Drive highlights its distinctive triangle design made from wood, glass, and steel. It spans a landscaped creek, allowing residents to view the natural beauty surrounding their homes. Thorne's vision created a private sanctuary that integrates nature into everyday living, from the great hall with its cathedral ceiling to the echoing sounds of the creek heard throughout the home. Despite its peaceful aesthetic, the engineering behind this 2,642-square-foot property carries a rich history of architectural innovation, overcoming the challenges of a lot once deemed unbuildable in the early 1970s.

In a statement obtained by SFGATE, listing agent Mike Plotkowski praised Thorne's forward-thinking aesthetics and design philosophy. Thorne's homes, characterized by the extensive use of steel, allow for fluidity of internal spaces, with "the only load-bearing elements," Plotkowski described, being "a grid of heavy structural steel beams." This approach rendered all internal walls flexible and paved the way for the home's multi-level and polygonal shape, which continues to captivate admirers of mid-century modern architecture.

The Music House not only serves as a residential space but has also hosted cultural events that underline its artistic significance. A recent event organized by Docomomo was held to celebrate Thorne's centenary and featured performances by Keisuke Nakagoshi, the pianist-in-residence at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. According to SFGATE, recipients of Thorne's architectural generosity, like the late composer Herbert Bielawa, paid tribute through creative expressions. Bielawa composed piano pieces especially for Thorne, honoring the home as a bastion of music and family memories. Plotkowski elaborated on the home's legacy in the arts, saying, "The family hosted concerts here."