West Lake House, Texas

Architecture / 26 Jul 2012

When renovating this 1970s house in Austin, Texas, architects Specht Harpman retained and refurbished the original structure, but such was the scope of the remodeling work that, to all intents and purposes, it appears to be built entirely from scratch. Preserving the surrounding nature as much as possible, the architects' threaded the new structure around the trees, while using their twisted trunks to set up evocative vistas and framed views
Photography: Scott Specht

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On the ground floor is a generous entrance living room, complete with glazed walls, which create an airy and spacious heart for the house
Photography: Scott Specht

Works by British artists Gilbert & George stare down over the sofas
Photography: Meg Mulloy

A fireplace centres the living room
Photography: Meg Mulloy

A shag pile carpet and knitted stools add texture to the space
Photography: Casey Dunn

On the console table is a 'Bourgie' lamp by Philippe Starck for Kartell
Photography: Meg Mulloy

The structure is arranged across several different levels, reaching out into the surrounding landscape through a series of low-lying masonry walls that extend from the house, roughly aligned on the four points of the compass and delineating the sub-divisions of the internal living space
Photography: Taggart Sorensen

Built in shelves are located at key points of the house to display the clients' collection of ceramics and other artifacts
Photography: Scott Specht

The kitchen and dining areas are raised up over the garden and look out over the terrace and pool
Photography: Taggart Sorensen

The dining area
Photograph: Scott Specht

The library is an intimate, cosy space, with warm red shelving
Photograph: Scott Specht

To the left of the entrance is a private study with garden views
Photograph: Scott Specht

The master suite has been given its own 'block' above the main living space
Photography: Casey Dunn

A bookshelf-lined hall behind the master bedroom
Photography: Casey Dunn

The master bathroom
Photography: Casey Dunn

A first floor view over a small atrium
Photography: Meg Mulloy

One of the three further bedrooms on the first floor
Photograph: Scott Specht

Bold colours contrasts add extra dynamism to the interiors
Photography: Meg Mulloy

The raised pool, with an infinity edge
Photography: Meg Mulloy

Elegant and expansive, the West Lake Residence belongs to a long tradition of calm, considered American Modernism
Photography: Taggart Sorensen

West Lake House, Texas

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