The homeowners needed a safe space to store their collector's edition cars, so designers extended a modern car port to provide shelter from the elements for the family's prized possessions.

Balanced shade, dappled sunlight, and tree canopy views are the basis of the Tree House design. The entry is on center with the lot’s primary Live Oak tree, and each interior space has a unique relationship to this central element.

Composed of crisply-detailed, considered materials, surfaces and finishes, the home is a balance of sophistication and restraint. The two-story massing is designed to allow for a bold yet humble street presence, while each single-story wing extends through the site, forming intimate outdoor and indoor spaces. The upper story is clad in stucco, articulated as a floating white box, light in appearance and also acting as a veritable “tree house” for the children’s bedroom zone. The knots in the exposed portion of the wood add a desired texture and contrast to the clean and minimal massing of the white stucco.

In the middle of this Austin, Texas lot stands a live oak tree. Instead of tearing it down, designers decided to incorporate it into the design of the house, allowing it to be a focal point for the construction of this home. To include it as part of the living space, designers built a deck around the tree, giving shade to the house and the sitting area that rests around the tree's trunk.