Architects: Miró Rivera Architects
Project: Residence 1446 – Modern Texas Home
Design Partners: Juan Miró, FAIA LEED AP / Miguel Rivera, FAIA LEED AP
Project Architect/Manager: Aaron Hunt, Matthew Sturich
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 7,075 sq ft
Photographer: Paul Finkel / Piston Design
Forming the centerpiece of a master plan by the architects that includes a guest house, pedestrian bridge, and a small boathouse, Residence 1446 acts as a hub for the entire complex. Situated in a low-lying field adjacent to both a lake and a quiet lagoon, the home’s location was selected to preserve the existing trees and to frame large views of the site. To contrast with the verticality of the three-story guest house, this one-level home is defined by a horizontality that responds quietly and sensitively to its serene wetland surroundings.
The design aims to create architectural interventions that both respect and enhance this unique site. The design of this modern Texas home reflects its role as a natural assembly place. Thick limestone walls define the east-west axis that guides occupants from the entry through the house to the expansive views of the site and lake beyond. Long, horizontal apertures and dramatically-angled rooftops provide sweeping panoramas, while deeply-recessed overhangs offer shade and privacy to this family setting. A secondary north-south axis emphasizes movement between the guest house, bridge, and boathouse. The architecture frames the landscape, disappearing through the transparency of the glass walls, while clerestory windows flood the space with natural light.
The materials further reflect this connection to the landscape. The scheme employs a minimal material palette that consists of copper, plaster, and Sapele Mahogany. The limestone cladding of the dividing walls, plinth, and floors is a locally-sourced material from Lueders, Texas. The rough-hewn stone travels through the house from interior to exterior, reinforcing the natural connection to the site while striking a balance with the home’s modern aesthetic.
