Three siblings sought to create a gathering point for their families on a long and narrow stretch of land that recedes down into the Guadalupe River floodway. They asked for a design that makes connections—between their children, light and the riparian landscape—a place to surface memories.
Although the Canyon Dam regulates flow rates of the river upstream from the site, given climate variability the design needed to accommodate extreme flooding as high as fifteen feet above grade. Accomplishing this cost-effectively while preserving intimacy with the site became central to the project. We leveraged standard materials, details, and components to emphasize spatial configurations that enhance shared moments between the families and the outdoors.
The house is a compound dwelling consolidated into two rectangular forms—rotated in response to river views and old growth trees. This rotation activates living spaces and niched porches via interplay between common areas and private suites. Bridging these two wings of the house, full-height glazing and sliding glass doors wrap transparency around the living space while exteriorly refracting views of the tree canopy.
Suspending spaces of congregation, relaxation and contemplation on multiple levels, the home becomes a “treehouse” that allows its occupants to connect to the natural ecosystem on and above the ground plane. Full-height sliding glass doors, in combination with selectively located windows, enable natural daylighting of all interior spaces; when open, they transform the entire living level into an outdoor experience.
The building was sited and designed to minimize disturbance to the landscape, utilize the existing tree canopy to protect from the sun, enhance cross-ventilation from prevailing wind patterns, and provide roof overhangs for additional solar shading. Serving as builder for the project, we collaborated with small Texas shops for windows and doors. Cypress siding, pre-stained on all four sides and installed with an air gap, was chosen for its durability and presence in the existing tree canopy along the river. Construction cost was approximately $185/square-foot, including the covered wood porches.
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