This treehouse-inspired home, designed by Lake|Flato Architects, is perched on the edge of a sloping hillside in Rollingwood, a highly desirable small town located directly southwest of Austin, Texas. The house was designed to take advantage of the surrounding mature oak trees, and the property backs up to a tranquil creek, providing a private sanctuary.
The home’s indoor/outdoor living spaces are cantilevered over the sloping hillside, giving the north and east facades sweeping views over the hillside and neighboring woods. There is a total of 2,414 square feet of living space in addition to 1,134 square feet of unconditioned space, which includes a screened-in porch.
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Lake|Flato Architects GENERAL CONTRACTOR Shoberg Homes MEP ENGINEER Southwest Mechanical Services STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Structural Design Consulting LIGHTING DESIGNER David Nelson & Associates
A floating offset gable roof follows the slope of the land and expressively guides the views down the hill, where an original path using restored rock ledges leads to a dry creek, amphitheater, and private gathering space. Rich, natural materials including local limestone from Leuders, TX and vertical cedar siding are paired with a steel structure, expansive windows, and a galvalume metal roof to form the exterior of the house.
The compact house and driveway were sited on the edge of the west property line to allow for an expansive, natural green space to remain unscathed east of the home. Deep overhangs provide shade, while glazing along most of the north facade connects users to the landscape.
Above: The living room boasts soaring 18-foot high ceilings and expansive windows framing views over the hillside. The fireplace and entertainment wall is honed limestone. On the ceiling is exposed Douglas fir joinery.
Above: A few steps down from the living room is a spacious screened-in porch that includes a fireplace for warm and ambiance. This space is connected to a first floor master bedroom — hovering above the sloping land to feel like a modern treehouse.
Above: Steps leads up from the screened porch into the open plan living, dining and kitchen,
Inside the house, black end-grain mesquite flooring, maple millwork, soapstone, Carrera marble and slate complete a modern palette paired with the vibrant greenery through expansive windows.
What We Love: This treehouse-inspired home offers a place of solitude for its lucky inhabitants. Soaring ceilings and massive windows helps to create a bright and airy feel to the interiors of this home. The windows also help to capture the views of this heavily wooded property. Overall this home maximizes every inch of living space to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere for the owners and their occasional guest.
Tell Us: What do you think, would you feel right at home living here? Are there any details you would do differently? Please let us know your thoughts in the Comments!
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PHOTOGRAPHER Andrew Pogue
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