Austin, Texas, USA
“When you walk through this house—even if you don’t notice it—you sense that everything is just lasered in and so tight,” says Eric Barth.
“Every stone and brick in the house was located in our drawings.”
“That doesn’t happen on all our projects but, for a mathematician, it was important. The fun thing was that at every meeting he would throw us a mathematically based curveball. We were constantly looking for opportunities to infuse math-based logic into the house. All the siding is binary, spelling out hidden messages. There are a lot of Easter eggs hidden in the house—some he’s found, some he hasn’t.”
Eric Barth and Ryan Burke of A Parallel Architecture have completed a lakeside residence in Austin, Texas on behalf of a mathematician and his family that reflects the effect of exacting precision and deft proportioning that cultivates a sense of calmness.
The Water’s Edge Residence has recently been awarded a 2022 American Architecture Award Honorable Mention, by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The genesis of this design lay in establishing logic and order on the flat site through the architectural definition of use patterns that provide sanctuary and scale for its inhabitants.
Deep-covered patios, decks, and a balcony promenade further engage this framework and provide deep shade and sheltered exterior circulation, while also creating a central enclave private from the neighbors.
The architect’s team set about devising a plan where the house shades itself from the sun and adjacent neighbors.
The private two-story wing shields the central entertaining space and courtyard. Deep overhangs and operable window wall systems allow those public spaces to function as seamless indoor/outdoor living areas.
Strategically hidden window shades, a nine-zone HVAC system, and large tree plantings do the rest of the work.
Project: Water’s Edge Residence
Architects: A Parallel Architecture
Lead Architects: Eric Barth and Ryan Burke
Client: Peter Naimoli
General Contractor: Stewart Custom Homes, LLC.
Photographers: Chase Daniel