Architect: Specht Architects
Landscape Architect: Hocker Design Group
Interior Design: Magni Kalman Design
Contractor: Sebastian Construction
Photography: Casey Dunn

This is an exterior view of the house showcasing the patterned panel wall and the lush landscaping of trees and shrubs that complement it.

This view of the wall showcases the height comparison to show just how tall the wall is compared to a person.

This part of the house exterior also has a patterned wall flanked by glass walls that show the interiors.

This is the main entrance of the house with a wide concrete driveway and a set of concrete steps that lead to the main entrance.

This view of the main entrance showcases the magnitude of the area and just how large it is compared to a person.

This side of the house showcases the patterned wall with a row of modern windows adorned by the row of shrubs.

This full view of the front of the house shows the neutral earthy tones thata re complemented by the colorful landscaping of trees, shrubs and grass.

This is a closer look at the main entrance with a set of concrete steps and a large cover above it.

This is another close look at the main entrance of the house showcasing the large covered walkway.

This is a view of the courtyard with a concrete floor, a fire pit and large open wall that combine the interior and exterior.

This si a closer look at the wide covered walkway with a beige ceiling and beige pillars.

This is a view of the interior from the vantage of the covered walkway through glass walls.

The living room has a modern fireplace on the far side across from the curved sofa.

The curved sofa is paired with a small round coffee table and a couple of gray armchairs that blend well with the wall.

This is the breakfast nook with a large round glass-top dining table that pairs well with the glass walls and sliding doors that bring in natural lighting.

This is the formal dining room that has a large rectangular white dining table surrounded by red chairs and wall-mounted artworks.

The kitchen has a large waterfall white kitchen island paired with brown wooden cabinetry and modern appliances.

A corner of the house has a sitting area with comfortable armchairs by the large glass wall.

This is the primary bedroom with a comfortable sitting area at the foot of the bed that has a couple of beige arm chairs by the modern fireplace.

The child's bedroom has small pops of color that go well with the neutral tones and natural light that comes in from the glass wall that features the landscape outside.

The primary bathroom showcases the large bathtub that is embedded into the ground by the large wall of glass that features a great view.

This is another looka t the covered walking area that that surrounds a miniature garden with a an open roof above.

This side of the house has a set of concrete steps that lead to the large grass lawn adorned by the trees and shrubs.

This is a small outdoor area that is made for a nice view for the bedroom that has glass walls.

This is a view of the large grass lawn with shrubs lining the borders along with a couple of trees.

The lush landscaping complements the neutral exterior tones of the house that has an abundance of glass walls.

This is a close look at the pool with a unique design that complements the concrete structures of the house.

This side of the house exterior showcases the water feature at the side of the wall with warm lighting.

This is a nighttime view of the house from the vantage of the large pool showcasing the warm glow of the house.

The warm glow of the house interiors pair well with the lighting of the landscape making the trees stand out.

This is a view of the house exterior at night showing more of the warm glow of the house reflected on the swimming pool.

The design of Specht’s Preston Hollow 8,000 square foot house was driven by the desire to blur the lines between inside and outside while providing a sense of privacy and seclusion from the street and surrounding neighborhood, at the homeowner’s request. Its design is influenced by strategies common to classic Dallas modern homes of the 1950s and ‘’60s.

Heavy cast-concrete walls extend from the interior of the house out into the landscape, breaking the “modern box” and creating courtyards that allow for a bright, nature-filled view from every room. This effect is complemented by the huge glass walls that define each space. A large, floating, pavilion roof hovers over both the interior and exterior rooms, defining a special “living precinct” in the site and further fragmenting the boundary between interior and exterior.

The roof shape and large cantilevered overhangs were carefully configured to provide complete shading from the harsh Dallas sun at all times of the day. An “Impluvium” or opening in the center of the roof is modeled on those found in traditional Roman houses and allows rainwater and light to reach the garden below.

Flowing water plays a large part in the design as well. Beginning at the entry, a narrow channel courses through the site and to the pool beyond. The stream is punctuated by a series of cascading terraces and a gentle waterfall near the main entry. At night, lighting within the water casts changing patterns on the adjacent textured concrete surfaces.

A New Brutalism

The concrete walls in the Preston Hollow house were cast using custom-fabricated formwork that creates a corrugated appearance. “This technique, a staple of brutalist architecture from the 1960s and ’70s creates a play of shadows and patterns that changes throughout the day.

Unlike the brutalist work from that era, however, the heavy walls here are countered by delicate steel columns, thin window frames, and the hovering cantilevered edges of the roof. The concrete is a grounding element that provides a contrast to the overall lightness of the spaces,” says Scott Specht, founder of Specht Architects.

Traditions of Dallas Modernism

Dallas has a long tradition of modern architecture that faded for decades and is now experiencing a resurgence. The home sites of Central Dallas, which are urban, relatively dense, and close to the city center, have driven a unique residential architecture with shaded and screened living spaces that are inward-looking and private.

The Preston Hollow house refers to examples such as Edward Durell Stone’s 1959 Oak Courthouse, with its outdoor covered dining room surrounded by water, and Philip Johnson’s 1963 Beck Residence with its tree-filled inner courtyards.

Sustainable Design Features

The design for this house is organized around eliminating direct solar gain while still allowing for expansive views. The large pavilion roof and cantilevered roof overhangs were modeled to provide complete passive shading from the harsh Dallas sun at all times of the day. In addition, the entire west façade has no openings at all.

Large operable areas of glazing allow for extensive natural ventilation during appropriate seasons. The “Impluvium” allows rainwater to reach the courtyard garden and water collection area below. This rainwater is used for irrigation and other non-potable uses.