Modern Homes in the Texas Countryside

With double-height ceilings at the front and rear, the second floor exists only in the midsection of the building inside a nested plywood box that contains the kitchen, bathrooms, master bedroom, and guest room. To address the challenge of climate control in such a large open space, this interior structure—which can be enclosed completely with sliding walls—is the only area with air-conditioning.

The architectural relationship between the bunkroom and porch, and the bunkhouse and the surrounding forest, is especially apparent at dusk, when the building reads as a kind of illuminated lantern.

For a cost-conscious 2,000-square-foot renovation located 30 minutes outside of Austin, Texas, architect Nick Deaver took a look around for inspiration. He spied galvanized metal cladding on the region’s sheds and co-opted the inexpensive, resilient material for his own design.

San Antonio-based firm Craig McMahon Architects faced a square footage challenge with this family's seasonal retreat in San Marcos, Texas. It would have to accommodate two families, the hosts and a guest family. Multiple built-ins, lofted sleeping areas, and other features allow it to accommodate many visitors. Dual porches bookend the home: one faces towards a creek, the other to where the sun sets.