Awards
American Institute of Architects, Houston Chaper
2011 Design Award, Renvoation / Restoration
American Institute of Architects, Houston Chapter
2008 Design Award
Articles & Publications
Houston House & Home, October 2007, "A Home For All Seasons". [ full PDF text ]
Houston Business Journal, September 21, 2007, "Homes new and old open doors for all
tours and showcases".
Exhibitions & Tours
2011 Azalea Trail – Home and Garden Tour
Goal
The compound consists of a house for a grandmother, a house for her son’s family of five, a guest apartment for visitors and gardens for all the families’ activities. The design respects their memories in the following ways: The majestic live oak trees were saved. The west side play yard that constitutes approximately 25% of the site was maintained for the next generation. And the beautiful fir wall paneling of the original house was recycled in the grandmother’s living room ceiling. The design also needed to accommodate the reality that this 1950’s suburban site is now an urban site in the center of Houston.
The buildings are energy efficient, filled with natural light but shaded by overhangs that protect the interior from the direct summer sun. Tankless water heaters provide the hot water. Parking for six cars on pervious gravel drive was included.
Solution
A large communal breezeway flanked by two large live oaks is the core of the compound. The dogtrot form of the building is reminiscent of early Texas structures of which the family has a fondness. The dogtrot-breezeway both separates and connects the two houses. It is a covered prelude to the entrances of the grandmother’s house, the family’s house, the guest apartment, and garage. It encourages the southeast prevailing breezes to circulate through the compound and is a shaded respite from the intense Texas sun, heat and rain. The burnished concrete block, plaster, large fir eaves, and operable windows respond to the natural environment of Texas. The eaves give protection from the sun and rain while the materials insulate from the heat and street sounds.
The grandmother’s house is a one bedroom single story house on the north side of the breezeway. The house is designed to be accessible in anticipation of future needs. The living room is proportioned similar that of the original house. The wide boards of straight grain fir from the walls of the original are recycled in the ceiling of the new room. From the living room she has views of the beautiful garden and, from her study, she can watch her grandsons play in the large side yard.
The son’s family house is entered from the south side of the breezeway. The family gathering spaces surround a central two-story space occupied by a stair and second floor bridge. The full height windows provide natural light to the entire first floor. The lap pool to the south is an integral part of the family’s activity and can only be seen from the family house’s living room and kitchen. The pool fountain doubles as “white noise” to buffer the street traffic sounds. Placing the bedrooms, study and media room upstairs gives each person in the family their own place of retreat.
The guest apartment is reached by the exterior stair in the breezeway. Its entrance and views face away from both the family’s and the grandmother’s outdoor spaces and allows privacy for all concerned.
The gardens also play an integral role in family relations. The front drive court doubles as a basketball court; the pool is a family area separate from the grandmother’s views for sound privacy for both. The western garden is the “soccer field” for the children and can be seen from both houses. The components of the compound create a complete architectural solution that allows privacy without isolation and closeness without intrusion.
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