LaRue Architects Designs a U Shaped Home Around Heritage Oak Grove in Austin

Houses

This sprawling home was designed and built 75 feet above Lake Austin on a steep hillside.

Architecture Firm: La Rue Architects, James LaRue, Emily Haydon
Interior Design Firm: Fern Santini
Home Builder Firm: Reynolds Custom Homes
Landscape Architecture Firm: LandWest Design Group, John Hall
Photographer: Casey Dunn

A large expanse of glass in the living area provides unobstructed views of the majestic hills.
A large expanse of glass in the living area provides unobstructed views of the majestic hills.
A large outdoor lounge flanks the pool.
A large outdoor lounge flanks the pool.
A breakfast nook with four seated round table.
A breakfast nook with four seated round table.
A dining area with six-seater oval dining table with artwork and custom lighting.
A dining area with six-seater oval dining table with artwork and custom lighting.
An opulent kitchen with a marble-topped island and pendant lights.
An opulent kitchen with a marble-topped island and pendant lights.
The modern dark green painted bar with a modern long window.
The modern dark green painted bar with a modern long window.
A U-shaped stair with glass and steel railings and hard wood steeps.
A U-shaped stair with glass and steel railings and hard wood steeps.
The main suite, which features floor-to-ceiling glass windows with views of the magnificent oak trees.
The main suite, which features floor-to-ceiling glass windows with views of the magnificent oak trees.
The main bathroom, with a freestanding tub and stunning views of the lake and the surrounding heritage oak trees.
The main bathroom, with a freestanding tub and stunning views of the lake and the surrounding heritage oak trees.
The house is modern in style and made of natural materials.
The house is modern in style and made of natural materials.
A customized entryway table adorned with artwork.
A customized entryway table adorned with artwork.
The pool has a two-sided negative edge and is surrounded by heritage oak trees.
The pool has a two-sided negative edge and is surrounded by heritage oak trees.
A two-sided negative edge pool with one side spilling out toward the lake for a never-ending water effect.
A two-sided negative edge pool with one side spilling out toward the lake for a never-ending water effect.
The large expanses of glass that make the home transparent from front to back upon entry, allowing for incredible vistas throughout.
The large expanses of glass that make the home transparent from front to back upon entry, allowing for incredible vistas throughout.

This sprawling home was designed and built atop a steep hillside, 75 feet above Lake Austin. The homeowners, a young professional couple with three small children, wanted their home to be all about ‘lake life.’

To take advantage of the spectacular lake views and the surrounding heritage oak trees, LaRue Architects designed the structure with large expanses of glass making the home transparent from front to back upon entry providing incredible vistas throughout the home.

The home’s lot is perched on a limestone bluff and covered with a thick canopy of live oak trees. Navigating its footprint around the majestic oak trees posed the first challenge as the city of Austin classified them as heritage trees.

LaRue designed a U-shaped layout that deftly cradles the ancient oaks. Landscape designer Rick Scheen and landscape architect John Hall then created modular steel planter boxes mirroring the home’s rectilinear frame.

“The main challenge for us architecturally was to place the home in between two huge heritage oak trees. The trees are so beautiful and really set the tone for the home.

The private primary suite and office are located in this quadrant, and the views out of these spaces are framed perfectly,” says James LaRue, LaRue Architects

The home is modern in style using natural materials seen across Texas Hill Country. The geographic details unfold through locally sourced limestone walls and oak ceilings – which flow seamlessly from the exterior to interior.

Accents of patinated copper paneling pick up the color of the oaks providing a ‘living finish’ that will get richer over time. Just off the main living is a two-sided negative edge pool – with one side spilling out toward the lake for an endless water effect.

The pool is flanked by a spacious outdoor lounge. Due to the slope of the site, dynamic cantilevers were designed for the lake side of the home making a dramatic path down to the new boat house and private dock.

Related Posts