Retama House Austin, Texas residential project, Modern TX real estate images, USA property

Retama House, Austin, Texas

August 8, 2024

Architects: A Parallel Architecture

Location: Austin, Texas, USA

Photos by Chase Daniel

Retama House, USA

Located in the heart of Austin, Texas, the Retama House is a stunning example of how architecture can seamlessly blend with nature. This magnificent home, designed by A Parallel Architecture, is a testament to the power of thoughtful design and careful planning.

The project’s success can be attributed to the team’s attention to detail and commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the site. A majestic split-trunk live oak tree, which has stood guard over the center of the lot for decades, was carefully incorporated into the design. The architects worked attentively to ensure that the tree’s delicate root systems and lush canopies were respected, while also leveraging its natural shade and privacy.

The resulting architecture is a masterclass in compact design. The 3275 square-foot home boasts a rigorously compact shape that belies a surprisingly generous interior experience. A double-height central atrium splays open and upwards on axis with the tree, reflecting its presence and affording tree-house-like views through expansive windows. A delicately perched swim-through lap pool connects the private rear lawn and contemplative front court, providing an audible buffer from the bustling thoroughfare below.

The home’s design is characterized by a permeable ground floor envelope that intertwines interior and exterior spaces. The upper volumes locate the bedrooms and office in the privacy of the tree’s canopy, where natural light is filtered through the leaves, resulting in a harmonic dance of shadows on the walls. Each space seeks a balance of functionally driven simplicity and expression of purpose, with beauty derived from rigorous and thoughtful expression of materiality.

Retama House in Austin, Texas, USA – Building Information

Architecture: A Parallel Architecture – https://www.aparallel.com/
Project size: 3275 sq. ft.
Building levels: 2

Architect: A Parallel Architecture
General Contractor: Arrowhead Construction
Landscape Designer: Billy Spencer Landscape
Structural Engineer: Steinman Luevano Structures, LLP

Photography: Chase Daniel

Retama House, Austin, Texas images / information received 080824 from A Parallel Architecture

Location: Austin, TX, United States of America

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