The floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and windows were the most expensive line item in the renovation. “The house would simply not be the same without them,” says architect Miguel Rivera. “When you are in the living area with the doors open, it creates one large indoor/outdoor space that is simply stunning.” Just beyond the kitchen, a bookcase in the hallway is painted to appear red from one side and gray from the other.
Forest views give Wildwood's homeowners direct access to their lush surroundings. The rural retreat from Giulietti / Schouten AIA Architects is the perfect respite from the suburban sprawl.
The Portage Bay Residence is a streamlined home that enjoys lake views and total privacy. The garage melds into the industrial, flat exterior, which resembles maritime sheds found throughout the area.
Throughout the day, the volume enclosed by the screen is alternately camouflaged and highlighted as the reflective metal responds to changes in the sun and sky. On a clear day, the shimmering screen provides a stark contrast to blue sky. But in the soft light of sunrise and sunset, the screen appears to dissolve.
In contrast to the street façade, with its ribbon windows and metal screen, the rear of the house opens up to the natural landscape and views of downtown Austin via large windows and cantilevered terraces.
Below, the terrain falls away steeply to a public hike-and-bike trail before meeting the shores of Lady Bird Lake, itself a segment of the Colorado River that winds across the state of Texas.
A sliding door opens onto a large outdoor deck that is connected to the yard via a staircase with a plate steel stringer.
A canarywood staircase leads to the upper floor, which houses two bedrooms, a playroom with a kitchenette, small media room, exercise/meditation space (convertible to another bedroom), and an open-air deck.
Overhead spans the home's most distinctive design feature: a canopy of closely-space 1/2" rebar strands that shades the outdoor spaces while visually completing the curving rooflines of the main and guest houses.
The main house contains an open living/dining/kitchen area and master suite on the ground floor. Full-height sliding doors in the open living area and a rotating, suspended fireplace allow the side of the house facing the deck to be completely opened up to the outdoors.
The two buildings are linked by an Ipei deck that runs parallel to a 40-foot long swimming pool.
Taking advantage of the large site, a quarter-mile walking trail wanders down from the house, passing a limestone spring and pool and winding through an elm woodland, remnant prairie, and cedar break.
The Westridge Residence focuses on two compact structures—a main house and detached garage with a guest apartment—linked by a trellis of rebar suspended in a natural catenary curve.
The intervention culminates in a direct visual and physical connection to the stunning backyard, with its landscaped terraces of locally-quarried limestone, swimming pool, and collection of sculptures.
New 17-foot-tall windows, which face the woods, transform what was once a low-slung, dark, and deserted kitchen into the focal point of the home.
The vertical grain of the Zebrawood cabinets echoes the lines of the wood paneling and windows, while topaz limestone flooring brings an element of the landscape indoors.
The kitchen is open to the dining room on one side, with a built-in buffet between the two spaces, while a maple-clad bar was added in an adjacent vestibule.
The ceiling curves dramatically upward from a low point of 8 feet toward the north-facing windows, reflecting diffused natural light deep into the kitchen.
Finishes such as exposed concrete and playful tile accents denote the more laid-back, intimate atmosphere.
The master bedroom is enclosed on three sides, emphasizing the view outward, while the low-slung roof and deep eaves create a sense of horizontality. The bed, nightstands, and light shelf are made from white oak to match the floors; all were designed by the architects.
Partially buried in the hillside, the lower floor hosts two bedrooms, a shared bath, and a media/game room—all illuminated by large windows.
The stair is made up of over 200 individual pieces of steel joined by over 160 concealed bolts in addition to welds.
The home is organized around a central, three-story staircase constructed of 5/8” thick plate steel. The stair acts as a hingepoint for the various programs, with rooms and hallways unfolding from it on every floor.
The largest single piece of steel in the staircase is 17 feet long and 10 feet tall.
Assembled from 5/8” thick plate steel with white oak treads, the staircase took eight months to fabricate, assemble, and paint.
From the spaces around it, the stair provides a dramatic focal point, revealing itself in curious and contradictory ways.
Miró Rivera Architects utilizes a palette of cool grays and white marble in Vista Residence's master bathroom to echo the home's exterior.
A two-story, open-air light well separates the private master suite from the main living areas while bringing natural light and views into the core of the house.
A spacious balcony is partially carved into the roof of the main level. Here above the treetops, the home’s spectacular location is experienced most vividly.
Exposed concrete, metal, and concrete panel cladding—chosen for their ease of maintenance—are the predominant materials.
The innovative cladding system of concrete panels doubles as a rainscreen, protecting the structure from the elements and providing increased thermal efficiency.
The journey begins with a series of massive concrete walls that extend out into the landscape, creating a series of outdoor spaces and drawing visitors in.
The distinct sloped roof profiles provide directionality, essentially “pointing” to the views beyond.
The warmth of the kitchen spills over into the living area, where a cozy, daylit reading corner enjoys views into the adjacent oak canopies.
At the sunken living room, the ceiling height increases from 9’ to 11’. The open kitchen, dining, and living spaces were designed for large family gatherings as well as fundraisers and public events. Details like the drink rail, bookshelves, and built-in benches bring down the scale of the space.
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