Site influences direct a design vision that focuses upon exterior circulation patterns and moments of outdoor living. Expansive views, wind patterns and an existing tree canopy serve as crucial influences in the project’s design development. These elements encourage an experience that makes a connection with the outdoors as often as possible. Blending the owner’s lifestyle and future use of their lake retreat with openness yet privacy on a Texas hill country lake defined the beginning of a complex design and construction project.
What looks to be a sizable building area shrinks quickly as the result of foundation requirements above floor plain, randomly placed large mature trees with massive canopies and owner’s request for adequate privacy yet retain spectacular views of the lake and hill country. Additional requirements included a separate master retreat totally secure and private from guest areas but still accessible to all outdoor and indoor living and entertaining areas.
A lengthy process including meetings with lake authorities, numerous surveys and measurements of tree locations and actual dimensions of limb lengths and height were necessary to determine the actual buildable area. Both architect and builder met on the property to determine a workable solution to position the floor plan among the trees with the desirable sun, wind and water correlations. A separate structure serving as owner’s retreat was designed to achieve the original design request. This allowed guests to enjoy all of the interior and exterior of the property and still provide seclusion and security for the owner.