the construction has started on my project in the texas hill country (dripping springs, texas) that is an interesting and exciting story. i have some good friends of mine whom i have spent many nights camping near lost maples. they moved out from the city of austin to live in the hill country but after a year living in a builder's home the house and most of their belongings were destroyed by fire. one reason they originally bought this house is the beautiful lot that slopes drastically to a creek.

the only piece of the house that was left was a typical 32' x 40' builder slab. this was the rough and simple foundation to rebuild. my good friends asked me to design a new house upon the existing slab but with a simple request. instead of a builder's home they want a home that better reflect their lifestyle and takes advantage of the site's slope, trees, breeze, and view. they wanted a simple space for a modern family that gives a nod to a house type used by settlers of this landscape - the dog trot.

as you will see there are many other elements of the building and design that takes advantage and treads lightly on the environment. by the way, me and my good friends decided to call this house the phoenix for it rises from the ashes reborn into a new and different home.