PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The owners migrated from the Northeast and wanted a home to fulfill some unique requirements. Paramount among them was to take advantage of their waterfront setting for both a casual living and professional office environment for two busy traveling consultants. Accommodation for extended visits by both sets of aging in-laws was another requirement. Hence, the home is comprised of many intimate spaces—both inside and outside that are, or can easily be converted for, handicap accessibility. The site restrictions required the house to be worked around trees with natural landscaping, and be constructed of regional materials. And ultimately, the home was to be sustainable and highly energy efficient.

The home's style is an eclectic mix of contemporary Mediterranean and Texanna funk! The various exterior "rooms" consist of a "morning space" courtyard that includes a man-made waterfall and stream; an outdoor "dining room" off the rear patio complete with subtle night lighting suitable for an intimate dinner setting; and an "outdoor office" space under the trees at the lake shore. A limestone "ruins wall" greets visitors in the Foyer. The interior motif includes much use of native Texas Mesquite wood, custom built light fixtures, and various hand crafted copper sheet metal accents. Deep overhangs, a screened porch, regional/recycled material, and a very sophisticated cooling tower based HVAC system contributes to sustainability and energy efficiency.

High Tech features: This home makes extensive use of the latest in low voltage wiring services because it serves as both a personal residence and the professional offices for two busy consultants with international business. Appliances, lighting, and equipment can be controlled, or monitored, from any telephone or computer with an internet connection around the globe. Even the patio, located down on the lake shore, is wired for direct connection to the home's Local Area Network, phone system, and—of course—the internet.

Home built by: J. Pinelli Company