A notable Beverley Thorne-designed home in Kensington is now available for sale for the first time since 1996. The property, known as Music House, is listed at $1.6 million and is recognized for its unique mid-century modern architecture.
Beverley Thorne, born on July 9, 1924, was a pioneering architect renowned for his innovative use of steel and glass. His designs often feature dramatic, gravity-defying elements. Music House, located at 38 Sunset Drive, exemplifies Thorne’s signature style with its striking use of structural steel beams and open, flexible interior spaces.
The home, built in 1971, spans 2,642 square feet and includes three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It is characterized by its multi-level, polygonal design and a two-story great hall with expansive windows and a cathedral ceiling. The property’s unique structure rests on three large foundations over a creek, with steel beams that allow for flexible internal walls and provide unobstructed views of the surrounding natural landscape.
The property’s design was particularly notable because it was constructed on a site deemed “unbuildable” in the early 1970s. Thorne used large I-beams, similar to those used in freeway overpasses, to support the structure. This approach allowed for the integration of the creek and waterfall into the home’s design, a testament to Thorne’s ingenuity.
Music House was originally built as a spec house for the Runswick family, known for their lighting designs featured in many California Eichlers. The home’s distinctive fixtures, including a jewel-shaped light fixture, were created by the Runswick family and a sculptor from Sausalito.
The property has been well-preserved, and its significance was highlighted at a recent event hosted by the architectural conservation group Docomomo, celebrating Thorne’s centennial. The event included a house tour and a musical performance featuring compositions written specifically for the home.
Sandra Soderlund, the current owner, is selling the property as she prepares to move to a senior living community. She and her late husband, Herbert Bielawa, purchased Music House in 1996 for $357,000. The home, named for its exceptional acoustics, has been a venue for family concerts and remains a cherished part of the Soderlund family’s history.
