Terrace House

This house is located on a challenging site. A long curving slope and a western exposure introduced opportunities for a design with dynamic sectional interest. Porches and arbors to the west engage and moderate the harsh solar exposure and extend the interior spaces outward, highlighting the views. A large stone wall cuts through the house, organizing the circulation, providing a strong material presence in the interiors and creating a connection to the exterior. The stone wall and the horizontal banding pattern accentuate the sectional condition, while the descending floor plane provides a sense of spatial movement. Details are executed in vertical grain Douglas Fir and steel, providing a lightweight warm contrast to the local Texas limestone. Special attention was given to fixtures and fittings to finish the contemporary, fresh feel of the house.