Hidden in the quiet foothills of the Sierra Nevada, a rare architectural jewel has surfaced on the market for $2.5 million. Known as the Mountain House, this striking retreat in Nevada City, California, was designed as a place for reflection, creativity, and deep engagement with nature. Its story begins more than two decades ago, when filmmaker and artist Mike Mills discovered a 60-acre hillside parcel that offered both isolation and inspiration. What followed became one of the most distinctive design commissions in American residential architecture.
A Vision Born From the Wilderness
In 2001, after spending his entire life in dense urban settings, Mills purchased the land for $131,000 with a singular intention: to build a refuge where he could slow down, create, and reconnect with the natural world. He sought a place where mornings meant the sight of deer passing by the window and evenings brought the silence of the forest. To bring his vision to life, Mills turned to the acclaimed Tokyo-based firm Atelier Bow-Wow, celebrated globally for experimental design rooted in human behavior and environmental sensitivity.
The result, completed in 2008, became the firm’s only residential project in the United States. Set against a backdrop of towering pines and untouched wilderness, the home stands as a minimalist A-frame laden with sculptural geometry and an aesthetic that embraces both restraint and warmth.
Architecture That Blurs the Boundary Between Indoors and Out
The home’s compact footprint—approximately 2,200 square feet—belies its sense of expansiveness. Its timber frame rises at a dramatic angle, creating an expressive silhouette that mirrors the surrounding mountains. Concrete floors run uninterrupted through the main level, while the interior walls are crafted from Homasote, a sustainable recycled-paper material that adds texture and softness.
Large wood-framed sliding glass doors dissolve the barrier between interior spaces and the landscape, allowing the forest to become a living extension of the home. Every corner features tucked-away nooks designed for reading, resting, or simply absorbing the quiet. The living room centers around a wood-burning stove, adding comfort during winter months, while the adjacent dining space flows into a streamlined kitchen outfitted with open shelving and stainless-steel appliances.
A Retreat Designed for Gathering and Creativity
Although designed as a private creative haven, the Mountain House also welcomes community. One of its defining features is the expansive shaded roof room: an open-air deck topped by exposed beams that frame sky views while providing shelter from the elements. Outfitted with hammocks and space for a large dining table, this upper-level environment serves as a social hub for meals, conversations, and late-night gatherings under the stars.
The home’s two bathrooms continue the minimalist approach, including a serene porcelain bathtub set against views of the surrounding woods. Every detail pushes toward simplicity, with natural materials dominating the palette and craftsmanship taking center stage.
A Landscape Rich With History and Natural Beauty
Beyond the structure itself, the property’s 60 acres carry a deep sense of place. Once the site of the historic 19th-century Sailor Flat gold mine, the grounds still hold remnants of wagon paths and mining routes now repurposed as walking trails. Seasonal streams weave through the landscape, further enhancing the property’s sense of wilderness immersion.
Bordered on three sides by U.S. Forest Service land, the estate offers privacy rarely found in California. While only a short drive from Nevada City’s charming shops and cafes, the retreat feels worlds away—ideal for artists, writers, or anyone seeking restorative isolation.
A Rare Opportunity in California Architecture
After initially listing for $3.3 million in 2023, the Mountain House now returns to the market at nearly $2.5 million. Represented by Eric Lavey of The Beverly Hills Estates, the home stands as both a collectible architectural work and a deeply personal sanctuary shaped by the lifestyle and creative pursuits of its owner.
Opportunities to acquire a one-of-a-kind commission from one of Japan’s most influential design studios are exceedingly rare. This offering is even more exceptional as Atelier Bow-Wow’s sole residential work in the country. For buyers seeking artful design, quiet solitude, and a tangible connection to the land, this Sierra Nevada retreat represents a once-in-a-lifetime find.