Dallas

Set within an urban context of Dallas, this unusual lot on the edge of Highland Park backs up onto the Katy Trail, a 3.5 mile long public pedestrian trail that traverses the city. The lot is unusual in that It is not view orientated and is five times as long as it is wide, a unique and exciting challenge. An internally-focused program laid out for casual family living connects to the outdoors in multiple ways through the use of gardens, water and natural light filtering through floor-to-ceiling doors and windows.

The plan of the home is a series of spaces, separated by courtyards and gardens, running parallel to a linear pool that connects the front yard to the rear of the property. A conditioned bridge over the basement light court separates the formal living from the kitchen and family spaces, and the primary suite from the secondary rooms, respectively. The secondary bedrooms float over the main outdoor living area, providing protection from changing seasons all year round. The terraces off the upper level as well as the basement courtyard provide a unique three-dimensional perspective, connecting each room to the different gardens and water dispersed through the property.

A celebrated feature special to the home is an acrylic section at the pool that provides light and drama to the basement courtyard. The basement courtyard separates the gym and private office from the entertainment spaces featuring a bar and media experiances. The horizontal planes of the architecture are texturally curated to provide warm and comfortable spaces for the family, paired with vertical surfaces mimicking a gallery mood and highlighting the owner’s extensive art collection.