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Constant Springs
Constant Springs
Austin, TX, United States
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Other Projects by Alterstudio Architecture
Constant Springs
Austin, TX, United States
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2017
SIZE
3000 sqft - 5000 sqft
The opportunity to live simultaneously near the center of the city and in an isolated refuge presented a powerful circumstance for this family of four. Within a very ordinary neighborhood, this home is oriented to take maximum advantage of the unexpected escarpment, creek and natural views offered at the rear of the property. Uniquely, it is walkable to neighborhood parks, schools, and other community resources.
This project is special in that it was built by the owner, in his debut as a general contractor. As such, he exhibited a deep sense of ownership for the project: he cared for his home—from the details to the overall design—and was intimately responsible for its physical emergence. In effect, builder and architect worked in-tandem and more seamlessly than is customary; both fostered care and attention for the quality of the home. That level of care contributes directly to the well-being of the family who lives there.
The biggest challenge when designing this home was transforming the latent possibilities of the challenging site - comprised of amazing Live Oak trees and a significant escarpment - into something special. The solution entailed designing an agile building that deftly engages the landscape, intertwining the life of the home with that of the oak trees to create a glass home that is nonetheless private in the midst of a relatively dense suburban condition. Centered around conserving and utilizing the Live Oaks on the property, the house lives large despite its 1/3 acre plot. As a one-story, the house stretches horizontally to preserve the tree canopy; a Western Red Cedar ceiling plane that continues from the interior to the exterior emphasizes this horizontality. At the entry porch, the ubiquitous ceiling opens up to allow a tree with an unusually tall trunk to pass through. A similar aperture over the pool repeats this gesture, further embracing the natural elements of the site by opening to the sky and even allowing rain deep into the center of the house. Thus, the trees on the site were embraced, and made into assets rather than obstacles.
The unmitigated roof defines a precinct for living and creates continuity throughout the property while a delicate custom-glazed window wall, accentuated by monolithic corner glazing, connects the interior to the outdoors. Inhabitation is here defined between a lush front courtyard and a dynamic expanse of nature behind. The house emphasizes a dynamic spatial sequence while at the same time creates an abstract backdrop for the serendipity of light, reflection, circumstance and view.
Inside, a rich palette of materials, furniture, and detailed cabinetry punctuate the ensemble to add a sense of finesse and offer points of stasis to the compelling and omnipresent out-of-doors. A straight-grain, Western Red Cedar ceiling and vertical siding, Calacatta Lincoln marble countertops, end-grain White Oak backsplashes, grey Leuders limestone, and a custom steel-and-White Oak entry door demonstrate great constructional aplomb and detail—all the more special given it was built by the owner.
This project is special in that it was built by the owner, in his debut as a general contractor. As such, he exhibited a deep sense of ownership for the project: he cared for his home—from the details to the overall design—and was intimately responsible for its physical emergence. In effect, builder and architect worked in-tandem and more seamlessly than is customary; both fostered care and attention for the quality of the home. That level of care contributes directly to the well-being of the family who lives there.
The biggest challenge when designing this home was transforming the latent possibilities of the challenging site - comprised of amazing Live Oak trees and a significant escarpment - into something special. The solution entailed designing an agile building that deftly engages the landscape, intertwining the life of the home with that of the oak trees to create a glass home that is nonetheless private in the midst of a relatively dense suburban condition. Centered around conserving and utilizing the Live Oaks on the property, the house lives large despite its 1/3 acre plot. As a one-story, the house stretches horizontally to preserve the tree canopy; a Western Red Cedar ceiling plane that continues from the interior to the exterior emphasizes this horizontality. At the entry porch, the ubiquitous ceiling opens up to allow a tree with an unusually tall trunk to pass through. A similar aperture over the pool repeats this gesture, further embracing the natural elements of the site by opening to the sky and even allowing rain deep into the center of the house. Thus, the trees on the site were embraced, and made into assets rather than obstacles.
The unmitigated roof defines a precinct for living and creates continuity throughout the property while a delicate custom-glazed window wall, accentuated by monolithic corner glazing, connects the interior to the outdoors. Inhabitation is here defined between a lush front courtyard and a dynamic expanse of nature behind. The house emphasizes a dynamic spatial sequence while at the same time creates an abstract backdrop for the serendipity of light, reflection, circumstance and view.
Inside, a rich palette of materials, furniture, and detailed cabinetry punctuate the ensemble to add a sense of finesse and offer points of stasis to the compelling and omnipresent out-of-doors. A straight-grain, Western Red Cedar ceiling and vertical siding, Calacatta Lincoln marble countertops, end-grain White Oak backsplashes, grey Leuders limestone, and a custom steel-and-White Oak entry door demonstrate great constructional aplomb and detail—all the more special given it was built by the owner.
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