Cliffside House, Lake Austin, Texas Residence, Residential Property, Architecture in USA, Images

Cliffside House by Lake Austin

Jan 8, 2023

Location: Austin, Texas, USA

Design: LaRue Architects

Cliffside House Lake Austin Texas

Photos: Casey Dunn

Cliffside House, Texas

This sprawling Cliffside House home was designed and built atop a steep hillside, 75 feet above Lake Austin. The homeowners, a young professional couple with three small children, wanted their home to be all about ‘lake life.’ To take advantage of the spectacular lake views and the surrounding heritage oak trees, LaRue Architects designed the structure with large expanses of glass making the home transparent from front to back upon entry providing incredible vistas throughout the home.

Cliffside House Lake Austin

The home’s lot is perched on a limestone bluff and covered with a thick canopy of live oak trees. Navigating its footprint around the majestic oak trees posed the first challenge as the city of Austin classified them as heritage trees. LaRue designed a U-shaped layout that deftly cradles the ancient oaks. Landscape designer Rick Scheen and landscape architect John Hall then created modular steel planter boxes mirroring the home’s rectilinear frame.

Cliffside House Lake Austin Texas Cliffside House Texas

“The main challenge for us architecturally was to place the home in between two huge heritage oak trees. The trees are so beautiful and really set the tone for the home. The private primary suite and office are located in this quadrant, and the views out of these spaces are framed perfectly,” says James LaRue, LaRue Architects

Cliffside House Lake Austin Texas Cliffside House Lake Austin Texas

The home is modern in style using natural materials seen across Texas Hill Country. The geographic details unfold through locally sourced limestone walls and oak ceilings – which flow seamlessly from the exterior to interior. Accents of patinated copper paneling pick up the color of the oaks providing a ‘living finish’ that will get richer over time.

Cliffside House Lake Austin

Just off the main living is a two-sided negative edge pool – with one side spilling out toward the lake for an endless water effect. The pool is flanked by a spacious outdoor lounge. Due to the slope of the site, dynamic cantilevers were designed for the lake side of the home making a dramatic path down to the new boat house and private dock.

Cliffside House Lake Austin Cliffside House Lake Austin

Cliffside House in Lake Austin, Texas – Building Information

Architecture Firm: La Rue Architects – https://www.larue-architects.com/, James Larue, Emily Haydon

Interior Design Firm: Fern Santini – https://www.fernsantini.com/
Home Builder Firm: Reynolds Custom Homes – https://www.reynoldshomes.com/
Landscape Architecture Firm: Landwest Design Group, John Hall

Cliffside House Lake Austin Cliffside House Lake Austin Texas

Photographer: Casey Dunn

Cliffside House, Lake Austin, Texas images / information received 080123 from LaRue Architects

Location: Austin, TX, USA

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Website: Lake Austin