Rural Farmhouse | Grimes County, Texas

A contemporary interpretation of the classic Texas dog-trot vernacular

A contemporary interpretation of the classic Texas dog-trot vernacular, this 850SF weekend house is carefully sited and designed to take maximum advantage of prevailing southeastern breezes. Existing stands of native oak and pecan trees funnel these breezes over a stream-fed pond and up the sloped site through the house, creating a natural ventilation system.

The central breezeway provides a large common space for living, dining and kitchen, and extends onto a cantilevered wood deck overlooking the pond to the southeast and a patio area to the northwest. Airflow through the breezeway is managed by the use of sliding barn doors. A glass overhead sectional door closes the opening to the deck while maintaining the view.

The breezeway is flanked by vertically corrugated aluminum blocks that contain sleeping and utility spaces. While each block can be independently controlled with a through-wall HVAC unit, natural ventilation is provided and encouraged with sliding doors at the outside corners and operable windows on the northwest elevation.

The inverted folded-plane roof system provides a unifying element, spanning over the breezeway and resting atop the blocks. Cantilevered on all sides, it provides both added weather and solar protection.