The House in the Garden, located in Dallas, Texas is a free-standing addition to an elegant modernist house on an adjoining lot designed by Cunningham Architects. Several existing Red Oak and Elm trees were incorporated into the garden design, whereby both lots contributed to the formation of a larger garden en masse. A minimal plant palette creates mass plantings used for large textural impact and screening for privacy.

A modern two story box, the 5,250 square foot house is clad on three sides with a rainscreen system, utilizing Ipe hardwood that will weather over time to a silver-grey sheen. The south facade is glazed in frameless, insulated glass units incorporating two 8 foot wide sliding glass doors. A 14 foot cantilevered roof protects this facade from the harsh sun while serving as a porch to the glass-tiled infinity edge swimming pool. A small water feature cast into the concrete deck provides subtle noise to eliminate any distractions from beyond the garden walls.

Large stone slabs become connectors throughout the garden, and provide transition from the street to the house. These organic, sinuous pathways culminate and encircle a fire pit. There is a guest bedroom and painting studio on the upper level. Downstairs, the concrete floor and exterior deck provide a seamless transition from the living room to the garden. The house provides ample space for part of a larger collection of art and automobiles. The home is barely discernible from the street as it is discreetly set back to the rear of the lot behind a stainless steel mesh and recycled glass privacy wall. Illuminated from within, the glass wall gives no indication of the urban oasis behind it. Via

Visit the website of Cunningham Architects here.

Photos: James F. Wilson & Gisela Borghi