Banyan House - 25987 Mission Street

An architectural gem just up the street from downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, Banyan House is the first home designed by Mark Mills in Carmel. After Mills was an apprentice at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Fellowship from 1944-48, Banyan House was financed by Mrs. Clinton (Della) Walker, the owner of Frank Lloyd Wright's only seashore designed house ever built, and sold to Mark Mills' father. From 1954 to 1957 Mark lived in the house, which is a significant example of Wrightian principles or organic architecture combining the use of "desert masonry" with local building materials. Other highlights include a custom iron gated entry, living room with fireplace, geometric windows flooding the spaces with natural light, and meticulously manicured grounds with pathways to explore. Mills' imaginative design skill at successfully integrating such an abstract plan comfortably into its landscape setting is very much in keeping with the Carmel tradition. With gorgeous woodwork and interesting details around every corner, this architectural innovation is a work of art.