Treehouse Tub!

“Putting things outside that are normally inside is a nice departure from the expected and gives people a break from the mundane,” says Scott Lee, president of San Francisco–based SB Architects. He’s referring to the soaking tub in his own master bath, which resides on a balcony overlooking San Francisco Bay. Lee designs a lot of resorts and his wife directs spas, so the couple definitely brought their work home.

The custom cast concrete tub had to be craned into place on the third-story deck while avoiding an established oak tree. A Western red cedar portico shades the tub, and a chunk of salvaged cypress serves as a rustic step. A radiant heat lamp in the portico ceiling ensures the tub gets used. As bathers recline against a curved backrest, they can control dimmable lights, music, and automatic shades inserted between the outside columns.

A window wall links the deck to the master suite. A daybed opposite the tub enjoys a similarly lavish setting including its own heat lamp. “Tubs are more about relaxing then getting clean,” Lee says. “Being out here among the branches with views of San Francisco, it really is like a resort.” 

[NOTE --  Main deck is at left, master bedroom center, bathing balcony right; photo via SB Architects.]