Designed for a small family, this Bellaire, Texas, house is inspired by the modern architecture of Mexico. The thick stucco walls are carved and perforated with rectangular voids which provide unique views to the street and a green space. The gray stucco, sandy stone and mahogany façade lend itself to a building block effect. Wide front steps offer an inviting entrance to the 3,700 sf of living space. Natural light filters through the two story axis which removes any sense of confinement associated with creating privacy in a dense suburban neighborhood. The large windows and skylights on the axis give the multi-use family areas saturated indirect light that is occasionally sliced by walkways joining these spaces to the bedrooms and the two terrace levels. Because the side property line of the 70’ x 100’ site borders an active railroad, extra attention is given to frame the views of locomotives rolling to their destinations. Sound insulation, above and beyond standard house construction, was necessary by the proximity to the railroad.