Mark Ashby Design and Shiflet Richardson Architects design a modern home amongst a grove of heritage live oaks and elms in Austin, Texas. The contemporary new build is 3,600SF with an abundance of outdoor living areas nestled among two enormous live oak trees.
The build and design process took three years to complete. The homeowner wanted a clean, modern sanctuary with a calm minimalist aesthetic, so the design team set out to give the home a comforting Zen-like vibe. One of the key factors was an enhanced connection to the environment – a lush hillside and old growth tree canopies.
Photo Credit: MarkAshbyDesign“This home has a childlike sense of adventure – living in the trees – but with an air of sophistication. It was established early on that each room in the house should have a strong connection to the site — a steep sloping gradient dotted with majestic live oak and elm trees,” says Mark Richardson, Shiflet Richardson Architects. “We anchored the main living area of the home (kitchen, living, and dining) between the two heritage live oaks. Bedroom and study ‘wings’ extend from this central hub, weaving out amongst the tree canopies with glassed connectors. The result is a beautiful series of spaces that feel open yet private, comfortable, soothing, and totally connected to the pristine environment.”
Photo Credit: MarkAshbyDesign“We really wanted to play with the different levels of light that comes thro...