Home Tours

house& home | October 2009 | house and home on l ine . com22

Amer ican Inst i tute o f Arch i tects Houston Home Tour, Oct . 10 -11

Twelve architect-designed houses will be openOct. 10 and 11 from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are$25 ($20 for bike riders) and may be purchasedat any of the houses the day of the tour or at theAIA office, 315 Capitol, Suite 120 after October 5. Sustainability, open floor plans, connection of indoors tooutside, abundant light, and a mixture of modern and tradi-tional materials mark the requirements that these homeown-ers gave their architects. Houses chosen for this year’s tourshowcase a variety of types including single family houses,town homes, and live-work places. Because of all of the toursites are inside Loop 610, AIA is able this year to featuremore than the usual number of houses for the same price.The townhomes and single family houses range in size fromapproximately 2,500 square feet to 6,000 square feet andfrom modest budgets to generous ones, demonstrating thatexcellence in design is not limited by size or dollars. TheAmerican Institute of Architects Houston is the professionalorganization for more than 1,800 architects and otherdesign professionals in the greater Houston area.Information: 713.520.0155 or www.aiahouston.org.

5301 JACKSONINTEXUREThis house in Houston’sMuseum District servesas a positive example ofurban infill, keeping acompact footprint whilemaintaining views andopen space. The house isLEED registered andexpected to receiveLEED Silver certifica-tion. Multiple balconiesand terraces open thehouse to its private yard,views of Herman Parkand DowntownHouston.

1919 VASSARSTUDIO METThis project explores thepotential of a small loton a one-way urbanstreet. The lack of depthin the lot and the pres-ence of a rear utilityeasement necessitated avertical design solution.The two units of theduplex differ significant-ly in both plan and ele-vation, yet they share asimple material paletteand formal language thatcreates a striking visualcomposition.

1625 HAROLDALLEN BIANCHICommissioned to be con-temporary and fit in withthe bungalows of theMontrose area, this houseachieves continuity withits neighbors in its modestscale and materials withgenerous yard spacearound the house.Although designed in amodern manner, it useselements typical of itscraftsman style neighbors.The architect designed thehouse and gardens as aunified work.

1116 WELCHCITISCAPEThis house broughtmodern architecture intoan awaiting-change con-servative neighborhood.The architect workedwith a difficult designchallenge – to preserveall existing trees onproperty. The house’slinear structure with adeliberately shifted cen-ter and multi-level over-lapping terraces givesway to the trees and cre-ates a unique rhythm indesign at the same time.

2710 LOUISIANA AS&DThe plan of this spacious4,000 SF tri-level houseis well suited for its tighturban lot. Simplicity ofmaterials yields an ele-gant yet cost-effectivesolution that pairs theclients’ accessibilityrequirements with theirdesire for a contemporarydesign that accommo-dates frequent entertain-ing. The rooftop gardenwith a striking view ofdowntown is the high-light of the house.

1210 W WEBSTERCOLLABORATIVE DESIGNWORKSSituated on an underutilizedinfill lot, this house orches-trates a challenging mix ofvehicular and pedestrian cir-culation through the narrowsite with a series of strategi-cally located volumesarranged in a Tetris-likemanner. The resulting inter-play of solid and voidaffords the residence multi-ple layered outdoor spaces,while opening up naturallighting opportunities withfragmented city views.

1919 VASSAR

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3319 VIRGINIAADAMS ARCHITECTSThe clients wanted a residencethat thoroughly employed andclearly expressed sustainabledesign ideas. 140 photovoltaicpanels comprise the south andwest solar arrays, shading theresidence’s roof, making thestructure a net exporter ofelectrical power. Roof planesfunnel total rain water recov-ery to a 7,000 gallon under-ground cistern and accomplishwater self-sufficiency.Complete geothermal HVACadds the third major strategythat will achieve LEED plat-inum certification.

309 GLENWOODHOLLENBECK ARCHITECTSThis 6,500 SF housewas designed for asloped site where a nar-row lot front expandsoutward. The main liv-ing area has an opendesign. The indoor liv-ing room and coveredoutdoor living area arejoined by a series of 10’tall glass doors thatamplify the expanse ofthe lot. The slope of thesite allows for a unique-ly situated infinity edgepool.

2127 TROONJAY BAKER ARCHITECTSThe client lived on thissite for 27 years butwanted a new housewithout abandoning theproperty, with its wood-ed esplanade and dra-matic topography. Thehouse has two wingswith a transparent foyerbetween, providingunfolding views a gardenthat cannot be anticipat-ed from the street.Accommodation ofitems from the originalhouse, including antiquedoors, gates and screens,were incorporated in thenew design.

4509 FEAGANSTRASSER RAGNIThe premise of this adaptivereuse project is one of con-trast. The outside, anunadorned clay block ware-house with a brick façade,hides an unexpected privateworld. Downstairs is a venuefor entertaining. Industrialdetailing and an exposed exist-ing structure create a complexbackdrop for brightly coloredmassing, art and furniture. Anew two-story tower housesprivate living quarters where,by contrast, the smooth whitewalls are unadorned by art.

1804 N MEMORIALMC2The design for thesetownhouses establishesa dialogue betweendowntown high risesand single family resi-dences of the historicSixth Ward. The projectis a series of interlock-ing volumes staggeredto enhance views ofdowntown from the liv-ing rooms and masterbedrooms and to createa scale that is compati-ble with the neighbor-hood.

728 E. 8THNATALYE APPEL + ASSOCIATESIntegration of indoorsand outdoors in mod-ern, open-plan spacesdesigned for Houston’sclimate was the goal forthis 2,850 SF residence.From the main entry,through a lush sidecourtyard to the openstair against a glass backwall, the overall experi-ence of the house ismeant to provide con-stant connection withthe environment.

Galveston’s F i rst EAST END GARDEN TOUROct . 10 -11

11th Annual HISTORIC DOWNTOWN GALVESTON LOFTS TOURNov. 14 -15

Galveston’s first ever East End Garden tour is Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Oct. 11, noon to 4 p.m. Rain date Oct 17th-18th. Tickets are $7, available atdowntown Galveston retailers: Antiques Warehouse, Big House Antiques, Collector’s Gallery II, Island Relics,Hendley Market, J Bangle Gallery, Mod Coffee House,and Star Drugstore. One of the gardens on tour was featured on House & Home’s Sept. 09 cover.

Hurricane Ike derailed last year’s tour, but downtownGalveston is coming back strong, as you will see in thesehomes. The tour includes eight beautifully decorated, privately owned loft homes plus four open houses locatedin newly renovated historic buildings downtown. Tour hours on Nov. 14 and 15 are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Tickets may be purchased online at www.galveston.com.

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