Photography: Barry Halkin

Photos by John Umberger

Photo Credit: Benjamin Hill

Set along a winding stretch of the Guadalupe River, this small guesthouse was designed to take advantage of local building materials and methods of construction. With concrete floors throughout the interior and deep roof lines along the south facade, the building maintains a cool temperature during the hot summer months. The home is capped with a galvanized aluminum roof and clad with limestone from a local quarry.

The existing 1950’s ranch house was remodeled by this firm during a 4-year period commencing in 1997. Following the Phase I remodel and master bedroom loft addition, the property was sold to the present owners, a retired geologist and freelance artist. The geologist discovered the largest gas reserve in Wyoming, which he named ‘Jonah’. The new owners program included a guest bedroom suite and an office. The owners wanted the addition to express their informal lifestyle of entertaining small and large groups in a setting that would recall their worldly travels. The new 2 story, 1,475 SF guest house frames the courtyard and contains an upper level office loft and a main level guest bedroom, sitting room and bathroom suite. All rooms open to the courtyard or rear Zen garden. The centralized fire pit / water feature defines the courtyard while creating an axial alignment with the circular skylight in the guest house loft. At the time of Jonahs’ discovery, sunlight tracks through the skylight, directly into the center of the courtyard fire pit, giving the house a subliminal yet personal attachment to the present owners. Different types and textures of stone are used throughout the guest house to respond to the owner’s geological background. A rotating work-station, the courtyard ‘room’, a stainless steel Japanese soaking tub, the communal fire pit, and the juxtaposition of refined materials and textured stone reinforce the owner’s extensive travel and communal experiences. Photo: Frank Ooms

Relaxed Living

Harold Leidner Landscape Architects

Front facade with Platteville limestone walls reclaimed from the 1889 Lake St. bridge pilings in Minneapolis. The Chimney pot was an antique the owner had found years ago. Photos by Susan Gilmore

Given a challenging lot configuration and topography, along with privacy issues, we had to get creative in designing this home. The home is divided into four basic living zones: private owner’s suite, informal living area, kids area upstairs, and a flexible guest entertaining area. The entry is unique in that it takes you directly through to the outdoor living area, and also provides separation of the owners’ private suite from the rest of the home. There are no formal living or dining areas; instead the breakfast and family rooms were enlarged to entertain more comfortably in an informal manner. One great feature of the detached casita is that it has a lower activity area, which helps the house connect to the property below. This contemporary haven in Barton Creek is a beautiful example of a chic and elegant design that creates a very practical and informal space for living.

Design and build by Hill's landscapes inc, the design build co. outdoor pavilion, pool, clean lines

guest house rick o'donnell architect Allison Cartwright, www.twisttours.com, photographer Russ Phillips - Keller Williams Realty, photographer

Front Elevation, Lloyd Lumpkins Constructed by: Alford Homes http://alfordhomes.com/

Conte & Conte, LLC landscape architects and designers work with clients located in Connecticut & New York (Greenwich, Belle Haven, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Fairfield, Southport, Rowayton, Manhattan, Larchmont, Bedford Hills, Armonk, Massachusetts)