Bonham Terrace
Austin, Texas
Building area: 5,000 sf / 5-bed / 5.5 bath
Nestled in historic Travis Heights where gigantic oaks form solid canopies over the streets, this house was designed to blend with its surroundings yet stand out from its neighbors. The arrangement of the home - two primary forms, a small peaked-roof mass close to the street and a larger, two-story portion farther from the street - allows the home to merge comfortably with the smaller scale of the older cottages that surround it.
The smaller form houses an office and garage, while the 2-story space holds all the primary functions. A small glass and wood entry connects the two masses. The office/garage is clad in natural wood and the primary house in a handmade Mexican brick, materials that feel at home under the live oaks.
Moving the living spaces farther back on the site creates an oasis on the ground floor, a tree house on the upper floor, and a private clubhouse on the roof. Inside, tall living spaces are organized beside an open hall with a wooden soffit and large glazed openings. The second floor is similarly arranged, with windows placed strategically to accentuate the feeling of being up in the trees.
The rooftop terrace provides views through the tree canopy to downtown. A large photovoltaic array provides enough power to balance annual energy use.
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