Templeton
Residence
Westlake Hills, Texas - 4,400 Square Feet
Consisting of a main house, detached garage,
pool, spa, outdoor shower and extensive landscaping, this
project is on a heavily wooded, sloping lot with spectacular
views to the west and north of the Texas Hill Country. A young
family with three children, the client's program requirements
were quite simple and direct:
- Take optimum advantage of the
west and north facing views while protecting the house and
outdoor living areas from the street and adjoining neighborsUtilize
passive solar energy design techniques.
- Protect the west facing view glass from
the harsh summer sun while allowing the winter sun to passively
heat the interiors.
- Encourage natural ventilation through
the proper placement of operable windows utilizing the thermal
siphoning effect and natural convectionThe "style"
should be neither traditional nor ostentatious
For purposes of reducing scale and creating
visual interest the main living area has been designed and
built differently than the rest of the structure. At first
glance the center of the house appears to be an adaptive reuse
of an old stone cottage in the German style, reminiscent of
Fredericksburg,
Texas cottages built 150 years ago by German immigrants. The
500 square foot entry and living room might have been the
2 story stone shell from an original cottage. This "remodel"
is now the nucleus of a much larger contemporary house. A
study in contrasts of antique and contemporary detailing and
materials makes for an intellectually interesting dichotomy.
The main living area appears to be built
of 18" thick solid load bearing masonry walls as cottages
were built 150 years ago in Fredericksburg, Texas. Large stone
entry columns and heavy fir trusses at the portal add an element
of age and old world detailing to the entry. Stone floors
and single pane divided light wood windows further project
the illusion of age.
But upon entering, it's obvious the old
stone cottage has benefited from a substantial "remodel."
Instead of being a restored house the cottage is one large
2-story living room. The rear wall is contemporary glass framing
expansive views of the Texas Hill Country. Custom copper light
fixtures wash the interior stone walls with warm lighting.
A balcony above connects the second floor of the contemporary
"additions" flanking the "original" cottage.
The "additions" to the "remodeled"
stone cottage are contemporary adaptations of the original.
Sensitive to their predecessor, yet more modern in appearance,
they define a contrast of old and new materials and spaces.
What is perhaps the most surprising outcome between the interplay
of old and new building techniques is that you do not expect
to see such daylight filled interiors in a traditional stone
cottage. A traditionally framed, heavy fir timber veranda
and ramada further articulate the style and reduce scale,
while tying the "additions" to the "original"
cottage.
Romantic illusions have their limits. By
design, the charade is not intended to fool an historian,
but rather to lend substance and importance to the main room
in the house. As architects it is our firm's design philosophy
a custom residence does not need to look as if it was designed
by one architect and built by one builder, respectively. A
house project takes on new meaning and interest when it appears
it has evolved over time and been built over several generations
using different building techniques. With this method of organizing
and building we can prioritize spaces and as a result lend
quality throughout.
Addressing the passive solar energy program
requirement, most west and south facing fenestration is protected
by either overhangs, awnings or conventionally framed heavy
timber brise-soleil. Fenestration has been carefully positioned
to encourage natural ventilation throughout the long and narrow
floor plan.
Maximizing views of the Texas Hill Country
is achieved through careful design of glazing for each room,
while both standing and sitting. Exterior decks are lowered
below the interior's floors so as to be unobtrusive. A welded
wire mesh railing system was developed and used due to its
transparency.
Privacy and seclusion were achieved through
careful siting of the house and pool behind a buffer of native
trees and undergrowth. The natural vegetation was supplemented
with native landscaping to provide a dense and lush outdoor
environment for recreation, enjoyment and privacy.
The American Institute of Architects honored
this project by selecting it to be in the 1993 AIA homes Tour.
see templeton photo gallery [+]
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