Don McDonald— Architect
“To stand the test of time, rural structures should be built with local materials, by local craftsmen, and rest quietly within the countryside.”
The house is constructed near a Native American campground where, for several hundred years, arrowheads were fabricated from flint brought in from the Texas Hill Country. Flint arrowheads (mostly broken cast-offs) and prehistoric stone tools found on the ranch were placed in a collection in the main hall of the house. Authenticity reigns: masonry buildings are stone or plaster over concrete block; wood structures are fir or mahogany on the exterior and clear fir on the interior; floors are polished concrete or longleaf pine planks.
Aside from the practical matter of materials, the owners wanted their house to live as a special retreat in which to celebrate with family and friends, as well as a place for unencumbered respite. To make their wishes tangible, each structure was anchored to the land in such a way that allows the compound to expand to accommodate large gatherings yet feel perfectly comfortable for intimate ones. What stands is a home that remains an exquisite example of Texas architecture, respects the land, and creates a lasting family legacy.
Photography by Peter Vitale
Photography by Peter Vitale
Photography by Peter Vitale