Jobe Corral Architects is responsible for the design of this rammed earth home that is all about the connection to the land, set in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, in Blanco, Texas. This 3,592 square foot structure is integrated into its surroundings, which are composed of majestic oak trees, open views, and a slice of the river.
In this setting, it is essential to seek protection from the elements — the sun, strong winds, and flooding rains. This need for the most basic form of shelter, plus the owners’ love of the land, drove the concept and design of this project called “River Ranch”. The program is laid out in a courtyard plan, which is formed by the main house, the guest wing, and the pool.
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECTURE Jobe Corral Architects CONTRACTOR Pilgrim Building Company STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Leap!Structures LIGHTING DESIGN Studio Lumina LANDSCAPE Environmental Energy Consulting ENERGY CONSULTANT Positive Energy
The outer layer of the courtyard is made of 2’ thick rammed earth walls that appear to emerge from the land and form a protective shell for the interior of the building. The color and texture of the rammed earth blend the walls to its surroundings while creating a strong anchor on the site.
Emulating the light-filtering quality of the trees, deep steel trellises and vertical wood screens provide another layer of protection by addressing the sun and supplying shade. The thick walls and the shading elements allow for large expanses of glass that open towards the courtyard and river views. The indoor/outdoor relationship is strengthened by specific moments that connect the user to the land, the trees, and the view.
What We Love: This rammed earth home features a fantastic indoor-outdoor connection that takes full advantage of its surroundings, the beautiful Texas Hill Country. The use of this material helps to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for this home’s inhabitants. We are loving the overall aesthetics of this home, it would be the perfect place to work from home with such inspiring surroundings!
Tell Us: What do you think of the overall design details in this home? Are there any elements you would change? Let us know in the Comments below!
Note: Be sure to have a look at a couple of other fabulous rammed earth home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign: Rammed earth house hidden in the forested hills of Northern California and Fascinating rammed earth home piercing the deserts of Arizona.
PHOTOGRAPHER Casey Dunn and Casey Woods
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