Pub. 2 2014 Directory

25 clutter of it, so we designed a ‘hidden’ bar behind a stainless sliding door. Various other design oddities were sprinkled throughout the home, marking it uniquely theirs. We studied various plan arrangements, but the style that suited them best was a simple ‘pod’ layout, allowing each pod to essentially define itself, provide privacy to occupants and guests, while allowing impressive amounts of natural light into every single nook and cranny in the place. This explains the long glassy ‘links’ that you see in the floor plan. We figured, the journey should be at least as enjoyable as the destination. Additionally, the pod arrangements allowed outward views of the landscape to be uniquely framed by other elements of the home, while also creating very interesting internalized ‘captures’ of nature in the crafted garden spaces between the pods themselves. They seized this opportunity to commission an artist to craft the outdoor sculptures seen in a few of these manicured outdoor areas. While we briefly studied pitched roofs, the client quickly gravitated toward a flat-roofed design for a few reasons… First, when we made it clear that generally pitched roofs need to shed their snow (which can cause maintenance issues), and we further explained that a roof can be designed to hold and even ‘display’ the high amounts of snow it will receive at this altitude, they were pleased (remember: snow is really interesting to Texans). Second, when we explained that grand spaces with highly-vaulted volumes really only open up views to the blue sky above, they seemed to ‘get it’ when we suggested that a low, wide, horizontal volume would focus their attention on the distant panoramic view beyond much more clearly and pleasingly, almost like wrapping a frame around a piece of art. Last, as we sketched the project as viewed from the distant approach below, they loved the fact that the home seemed to quietly peek over the hilltop, as opposed to rise defiantly high above it, the way so many of their distant neighbor’s homes seemed to do. Materially, the home is largely aluminum storefront glass to capture views and light, with a healthy dose of natural stone and reinforced wood veneer rain-screen panels to ground the building to the rugged and rocky site. Other than occasional carpets and tiles, the floors are generally bamboo. The kitchen cabinetry was custom-designed and installed by a local artisan, out of a wood species that I’m guessing I can neither spell nor pronounce. While certainly not understated in form, the project was designed to appear elusive and viewed only fleetingly at best from far below, then essentially vanish until the proper road is discovered, leading guests to the entry side of the home where by contrast, guests are greeted with a long, outstretched entry canopy designed to beckon them in to their warm and welcoming hospitality.