Texas studio Tobin Smith Architect has accomplished a house for an irregular website dealing with a nature protect that was envisioned as a “collection of shields” clad in limestone and stucco.
Designed for a household with teenage kids, Casa Escuda is positioned in a neighbourhood within the coronary heart of San Antonio in south-central Texas. The house is on a triangular, nook lot and appears towards a wooded protect within the rear.
“The lot backs as much as a nature protect, giving the property a way of seclusion regardless of its residential context,” mentioned native studio Tobin Smith Architect.
The workforce’s purpose was to create a house that would not solely accommodate household life, but in addition function a peaceable refuge the place occupants really feel immersed within the panorama.
Following the positioning’s geometry, the architects conceived a 6,169-square-foot (573-square-metre) dwelling that’s roughly triangular in plan. The dwelling consists of a single-storey fundamental portion and a two-storey wing.
The outside was envisioned as a “collection of shields that present privateness and mitigate photo voltaic publicity,” the workforce mentioned.
The entrance facade presents most privateness. Items of Texas limestone – some easy, others textured – are assembled in rows that type an extended and largely strong wall.
“Fenestrations are modulated by these datum traces, revealing a exact decision of fabric, composition and inside expertise,” the workforce mentioned.
Marking the doorway is a tall, curved water function made from weathering metal.
“Water from the roof cascades down this factor and right into a spherical cistern under, earlier than flowing by way of a runnel on the base of the stone facade,” the workforce mentioned.
“These oxidised components have fun water conveyance and distribute this captured useful resource to the panorama.”
The house is extra clear within the rear. The only-level portion of the house has window partitions set inside a collection of white stucco “fins”. The 2-storey wing is roofed in gray, burnished stucco.
Inside, one finds light-filled rooms, with views oriented towards the character protect.
On the bottom stage, the workforce positioned communal areas, the principle bed room suite, visitor quarters, a research, a storage and a carport. The higher stage holds the youngsters’ bedrooms and a sport room.
Inside finishes embrace porcelain tile flooring, walnut cabinetry and black soapstone.
A central patio, which adjoins the general public realm, directs views to the “ephemeral foliage and skyscapes”.
Different properties in San Antonio embrace a house comprising gabled types organized round three courtyards by Mary English and Xavier Vendrell Architects, and a small-footprint dwelling that’s meant to indicate “how a household can comfortably stay on a compact website with out sacrificing area, high quality or use.”
The pictures is by Dror Baldinger.
Venture credit:
Architect: Tobin Smith Architect
Common contractor: Mauze Building
Structural engineer: M. Scott Williamson
Panorama architect: John S Troy Panorama Architect
