Overlooking the Guadalupe River, River Bend is a tranquil home designed to sit lightly upon the land, minimizing disruption to the site and existing trees. Envisioned as a home that embraces the outdoors, the residence is composed of four structures housing the home’s separate functions. While one structure houses the kitchen, dining and living areas, a second houses the primary suite, creating a private escape. A third structure functions as an art studio, and the final structure serves as a carport, which was designed to be adapted into additional living space in the future.
The home’s orientation takes advantage of the area’s prevailing winds to encourage natural ventilation, and large skylights set in each roof capture Northern daylight. Corten siding was used on the exterior for its robust qualities and minimal maintenance.
The two primary structures are located on a relatively steep slope and are primarily supported by piers to minimize excavation, reducing the impact on the site. Only the back third of the buildings on the sloping portion of the site sit on grade, and these areas were carefully located to minimize the number of trees that needed to be removed in construction. Only six trees were removed to build all four structures, minimizing the impact on the abundant wildlife habitat. The three conditioned buildings are located above the surrounding canopy in order to provide greater access to the prevailing wind patterns and enhance natural ventilation. Skylights provide balanced daylight, allowing for a lower amount of glazing on the exterior walls.
This house is intended to be a retreat for a retired couple who are passionate about travel and documenting those experiences. The project was designed to provide beautiful spaces to accommodate their daily routine with intentionally small storage capacity as they are downsizing. The artist studio accommodates their interests in painting and photography, doubling as a guest house when hosting friends. The landscape around the buildings is intentionally minimal and indigenous to reduce the need for maintenance and to reflect the intent that these structures have been very carefully placed to minimize the impact on the forested hillside.
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