Vaughn-Dammann
Residence
Westlake Hills, Texas - 3,100 Square Feet
The primary initial design challenge for
this project was how to place a sensitive structure on a very
steep slope. The lot had been overlooked by potential owners,
builders and architects alike for years, all thinking is was
unbuildable. Indeed, the property slopes 100 feet down from
front to rear. Added to this scenario the need to design and
build a septic system on a small lot with a steep slope and
to fit within Westlake Hills confining height limitations,
this project definitely had severe site constraints. The architect's
approach was to segment the design solution into 4 separate
structures, 2-2 story and 2-1 story. The main living area
is actually a bridge that spans from one foundation to another.
The end result is 5 levels of interior living area and 4 levels
of exterior living area on a relatively small foundation for
this size house. Even taking these steps to minimize the foundation
there are 22 feet of fall under the footprint of the house.
In essence eclectic, with Spanish, German
and early Texas vernacular stylistic influences, the heart
and soul of the house is of a contemporary Old World village.
The client couple, an artist and a professor, desired "wabi"
elements, which is a Japanese concept which means "simple,
not arbitrary or superfluous, and in tune with nature."
They also wanted to experiment contrasting old, reused elements
with contemporary, modern elements. A solid stone wall utilizing
some of the site's ledge stone is 24 feet long and 30 feet
tall and bisects the main living area and the master suite.
An efficient and economical studio was placed above the garage
and can double as an efficiency apartment. The kitchen is
a study in the contrast of modern and old elements. The downstairs
serves as a home office for the professor, complete with a
private entry, elevated deck and wine cellar.
Verandahs, ramadas and an outdoor summer
kitchen were used to provide outdoor rooms for enjoying the
trees and viewing of the many deer that frequent the site,
as well as provide sun control and to stimulate breezes. The
extensive use of glass to take advantage of the ridge and
valley views necessitated careful attention to passive solar
energy design techniques.
Our client challenged our firm to incorporate
several "found" items into the design and construction
of their residence. The client provided us five objects. They
brought us an antique iron bell from Mexico that we used on
the exterior studio deck that visitors can use to announce
their arrival. A pair of antique primitive doors was used
in the large stone wall between the living and master bedroom
areas. An old carved stone lintel was used above a fireplace
opening as a lintel and an old brass lavatory was used on
a glass ledge as the vanity in the powder room. Finally, the
owners found some wonderful ceramic tiles that were inlayed
into the stucco walls on the exterior at the doorbell and
the interior in the kitchen around the banco. All of the objects
add richness to the residence and encouraged inventiveness
on our behalf. We look forward to integrating more found objects
into our designs as a result of this successful experiment.
This home was selected by the American Institute
of Architects for it's 1999 Homes Tour in Austin, Texas.
see vaughn-dammann photo gallery [+]
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