LaRue Architects has designed this spectacular cliffside lake house with a 150-foot vertical drop, sited on the tranquil Lake Travis in Austin, Texas. The homeowners, retired professionals, purchased the original lakefront cabin in 1997. They enjoyed the home as a weekend family retreat for 25 years.
After retiring, they decided to make it their forever home due to the idyllic views, property size, and lakefront location. The rustic 1.8 acres site is fronted by three heritage oak and cedar trees that the homeowners wished to preserve. Native wildflowers, sprawling flower and vegetable gardens, and a pergola draped in grapevines makes the entrance to this modern home warm and inviting.
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT LaRue Architects INTERIOR DESIGN LaRue Architects and Karen Greiner Interiors BUILDER Ford Strei Builders LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Sitio Design, Curt Arnette
ARTIST CREDITS: Owner’s suite: Gregory Deane Fireplace: Butterflies, Shanny Lott (Austin, TX)
The architect set out to design and build their dream home. The lot fronts Lake Travis, a serene setting. LaRue perched the home on a 150-foot steep grade that runs straight up from the shoreline for optimal views and direct access to the lake. Construction began in 2018 and took two and a half years to complete.
The new build is a 6,000 square foot Hill Country contemporary with long low buildings that align the bluff overlooking Lake Travis with a western view. “Our concept was to develop a long, one-room deep plan wrapping the infinity pool with views from every room of the house,” states James LaRue, LaRue Architects. “We incorporated wall-to-wall windows throughout so every room has a connection to the lake views, pool, courtyards, and outdoor living spaces.”
Some constraints the build and design team had to consider were the harsh western sun and the home’s proximity to the edge of the cliff, with the foundation needing special accommodations. Materials were used to endure the lakefront elements like slab on grade, wood frame construction with stone, stucco, metal panels, and a metal roof. A ‘floating’ clad metal box – housing the upstairs bedrooms, is juxtaposed over the outdoor living area.
Outdoor living is a prime factor in the design. A negative edge pool with a spa overlooks the lake. The area is flanked with native landscaping that incorporates large raised garden beds and a steel arbor for cozy seating. The expansive covered outdoor living spaces have pocketing sliding glass doors that open to the interior allowing the lakeside breezes to sweep through the home. Heaters, fans, and retractable screens were essential to the design – making that beautiful outdoor living space available for year-long use.
What We Love: This cliffside lake house provides its inhabitants with brilliantly designed living spaces with tranquil lakefront views. A wonderful indoor-outdoor lifestyle has been established in this home, bringing in fresh breezes off the water and encouraging spending more time in the great outdoors. Overall, we are loving the aesthetics of this home, from the architecture to the material palette and stylish furnishings.
Tell Us: What do you find most appealing in the design of this home and what would you change if this were your own home? Let us know in the Comments, we love reading your feedback!
Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other amazing home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign from the portfolio of the architects of this project, LaRue Architects: Urban contemporary dream home connected with nature in Austin, Texas and Texas Hill Country home boasts inviting design and coveted views.
An existing tram transports residents down to the lake, so the design team made it a point to have it function from the side yard which features an outdoor kitchen, firepit, and living area making the outdoor areas a recreational respite.
PHOTOGRAPHER Dror Baldinger
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