Lake Austin House / Lake|Flato Architects

Architect: Lake|Flato Architects
Location: Austin, Texas, United States
Project Team: Ted Flato, FAIA, Bill Aylor, AIA
Consultants: Lundy & Associates, Stonefox
Project Area: 557 sqm
Project Year: 2003
Photographs: Hester + Hardaway, Atelier Wong 

Focused around a man-made canal extended from Austin’s Colorado River, The Lake Austin House by Lake|Flato Architects is comprised of a series of structures and outdoor spaces that create a secluded riverside complex. Once past the enormous limestone wall surrounding the front of the house, a 200-foot long boardwalk runs the length of the site, leading to the main living room structure.  Along this route is a series of smaller wooden buildings that contain the bedrooms and study and are grouped to form smaller courtyard spaces in between.

The main house is a two story boat house that uses screens to take advantage of breezes from the river while also framing views out to nearby Lake Austin. In the winter months, a large fireplace keeps the house warm enough to use year-round. The screens also allow light in the the larger, more public space which also doubles as an art gallery.