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Houzz Tour: A Taste of Bali in Austin, Texas
Webber + Studio Melds Asian Influences with Relaxed Texan Style
A love of Balinese design and Zen philosophy was the catalyst for this Asian-style house, located in the heart of Austin. Architecture firm Webber + Studio was tasked with imagining a home that reflected the Texan roots of their clients but that also captured the feel of a holiday they took to the Indonesian island many years before.
In addition, it needed to fit the lifestyle of the family, who had one young child and a second on the way. The result is a modern home that feels at once comfortable and also a total escape from the mundane.
Architect David Webber gives us a tour of this stunning oasis.
In addition, it needed to fit the lifestyle of the family, who had one young child and a second on the way. The result is a modern home that feels at once comfortable and also a total escape from the mundane.
Architect David Webber gives us a tour of this stunning oasis.
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| One of the main challenges of the location was that it was on a lot that already had an existing pool and several large trees. "We had to design the house to weave in and between each of these elements," Webber says.
The home marries so seamlessly with the surrounding landscape now that it looks as if it has been there forever. |
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| One of the most striking elements of the home are the wood slats covering sections of the deck and rails. They allow breezes to pass through while still providing the structures with a substantial presence. |
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An interior wood finish on the windows brings added interest throughout the home and another layer of wood tones to this bathroom, one of four and half in the house.
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A clerestory above the living and dining area lets in light, while the roof's deep overhang shields the space from exposure to the hot Texas sun.
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| The metal roof and limestone tiles are common elements in Austin architecture, whereas the dark exterior siding is more Balinese in style. |
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Limestone tiles continue inside the the front door and throughout the rest of the home.
I imagine the cold stone feels incredibly refreshing on your toes during those muggy Austin summers!
I imagine the cold stone feels incredibly refreshing on your toes during those muggy Austin summers!
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A shoji screen-inspired guardrail separates a play area in the upstairs level from the family room below. It was made with translucent glass so that light can pass through, but any untidiness from the playroom remains concealed.
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| In the kitchen, rift-sawn white oak cabinetry provides warmth against a cool stainless steel backsplash. The counters are made of Texas limestone done with a stain- and pigment-infused wax sealing process that was hand applied by a local artisan.
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"Reminiscent of Balinese architecture, the house is comprised of three pavilions that each migrate away from the main body of the house to different degrees," Webber informs us. "The master bedroom pavilion seems the most content to stay halfway buried in the body of the house."
The rich wood floors are ipe, also known as Brazilian cherry.
The rich wood floors are ipe, also known as Brazilian cherry.
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| "The main living and dining room pavilion in the front migrates the most, almost seeming to pull away completely [from the main body of the house]," says Webber. |
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| The second floor pavilion houses the children's bedrooms and bathrooms. It stretches up above this covered outdoor porch. |
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| The original owner ended up selling the house to move closer to their childrens' schools. As David explains, "Another client of ours bought the house and adjacent lot and added on a four-car garage, guest house and yoga studio to fulfill the need for extra amenities that had not been built prior."
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| The new addition pays homage to the original structure with a pergola similar in style to the one at the front of the house.
Thanks for the tour, David! Next: See more Houzz Tours |
Ideabook updated on April 2, 2011.
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I especially love the deep roof overhangs, clerestory windows and shoji-type dividers that all do such a beautiful job of managing the intense Texas light.
Not such a fan of the new garage/guest-house though ;) That's a lot of cement!