The visionary Al Boeke, architect, assembled a stellar group of architects and design professionals. For prototype buildings the architectural firm of Moore, Lyndon, Turnbull, and Whitaker was hired to design Condominium One along the bluffs and architect Joseph Esherick to design a cluster of houses nestled in a hedgerow. Lawrence Halprin, landscape architect, studied the topography, weather, and vegetation that inspired the original master plan. His vision was based largely on the historical and ecological community.

The original designers evolved a concept of dynamic conservation of 'living lightly on the land.' A covenant would enforce stewardship of natural resources through an owners’ association of residents who felt an instinctive relationship with the environment.

Meant to be experienced as much as to be spelled out, the concept of 'living lightly on the land' starts with respect for nature. Each landscape element should be recognized and nurtured, reinforcing natural forms and scale. The specific site provides the identity, establishing a 'territorial partnership' with any structure placed within it, not upon it. Building materials should be drawn from nature: rough and simple.