It is a major renovation of a deteriorating 1970’s-era house located in Austin, Texas. Renovated by Specht Architects, Cliffside Residence sits on a narrow limestone ridge halfway down a cliff overlooking Lake Austin. This house is designed to enhance the drama of living due to the unusual natural setting on the site.
Design
The waterside and the cliff-face side of this house are opened up by the architect with large windows, providing decks for comfortable outdoor living at multiple levels. The original entry of this house was a dangerous exterior ramp and now it is via a light-filled pavilion that opens onto a large rooftop herb garden and overlooks the lake.
Supplemented by an elevator, a sequence of stairs of this house descends through the three levels and reveals awesome views from the lake and the limestone cliff. It is a comfortable house where one can enjoy the stunning views in every daily life activity.
Materials
Some materials that incorporated into this house include flooring salvaged by the owners, stone from a quarry they frequented during vacations, and also furniture made from a collection of industrial parts they collected. It is an awesome house that can express the charming and unique character of its owner.
Cliffside Residence Gallery
Photography: Andrea Calo, Taggart Sorensen & Austin Smock