West Lake Hills Residence: Austin Home

West Lake Hills Residence, Austin Residence, Texas Residential Development, USA Architecture

West Lake Hills Residence, Texas

New American House design by Specht Harpman

May 23, 2013

Design: Specht Harpman

Location: Austin, Texas, USA

West Lake Hills Residence

West Lake Hills Residence Austin home
photo : Casey Dunn

Austin Residence

On a densely tree-covered site in the Austin, Texas exurb of West Lake Hills, Specht Harpman was tasked with the renovation and expansion of a modest 1970’s house. Much of the original internal structure was maintained, but the alterations sought to erase all visible traces of the original house.

West Lake Hills Residence Texas
photo : Scott Specht

The primary goal of the new renovation and expansion was to preserve all of the site’s large twisting Live Oak trees while creating a new and open home that embraces the landscape and weaves itself around the existing trees.

West Lake Hills Residence Texas
photo : Taggart Sorensen

The primary mass of the house was lifted off the ground plane by creating a series of masonry walls that extend across the site to form interior and exterior rooms that frame views with the Live Oak trees beyond. The walls define family spaces on the lower level, while supporting a “floating box” of bedroom and private spaces above.

West Lake Hills Residence Texas West Lake Hills Residence Texas West Lake Hills Residence Texas West Lake Hills Residence Texas
photos : Casey Dunn

Ceilings of the existing house were low. For the expansion spaces, the ceiling plane was maintained, but the floor was lowered to follow the contours of the site, creating a terraced interior landscape that gives height to rooms while maintaining a modest exterior expression.

West Lake Hills Residence Texas West Lake Hills Residence Texas West Lake Hills Residence Texas
photos : Casey Dunn

West Lake Hills Residence – Building Information

Architects: Specht Harpman
Location: Austin, Texas
Project Team: Scott Specht, Louise Harpman, Sheryl Jordan, Brett Wolfe
Project Year: 2011
Project Area: 5,500 sqft
Photographs: Casey Dunn, Taggart Sorensen, Meg Mulloy, Scott Specht

West Lake Hills Residence Texas West Lake Hills Residence Texas West Lake Hills Residence Texas
photos : Meg Mulloy

West Lake Hills Residence Texas West Lake Hills Residence Texas West Lake Hills Residence Texas
photos : Meg Mulloy

West Lake Hills Residence Texas West Lake Hills Residence Texas
photos : Scott Specht

West Lake Hills Residence Texas
photo : Taggart Sorensen

West Lake Hills Residence Texas West Lake Hills Residence Texas
images from architect

West Lake Hills Residence photos / information from Specht Harpman, USA

Location: Austin, Texas, United States of America

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