River Bend Residence

Overlooking the Guadalupe River, River Bend is designed to sit lightly upon the land, minimizing disruption to the site and existing trees.  The home’s orientation takes advantage of the area’s prevailing winds to encourage natural ventilation, and large skylights set in each roof capture Northern daylight. This house is intended to be a retreat for a retired couple who are passionate about travel and documenting those experiences. Envisioned as a home that embraces the outdoors, the residence is composed of multiple structures housing the home’s separate functions. While one structure houses the kitchen, dining and living areas, a second houses the master suite, creating a private escape. Other structures include an adaptable art studio/guest house, a screened porch, and an open air carport. The project was designed to provide beautiful spaces to accommodate the owners’ daily routine with intentionally small storage capacity as they downsize. The artist studio accommodates their interests in painting and photography, doubling as a guest house when hosting friends. The landscape around the buildings is intentionally minimal and indigenous to reduce the need for maintenance and to reflect the intent that these structures have been very carefully placed to minimize the impact on the forested hillside.