Round Top Retreat
The Round Top Retreat is a single-family residence inspired by the rural context surrounding the town of Round Top, Texas. The expression of the building’s structure and its construction is an homage to La Bahia Turn Verein, a local example of the Texas Dance Hall typology dating back to the 1880’s. The home is designed around several mature Live Oak motts, which anchor the building to an outdoor courtyard focused on extending the living area to the outdoors and, like the Dance Hall, is a place to bring family together. The project was an act of discovery as the true nature of the heritage Oaks were concealed, and once discovered, they became the centerpiece of connecting this home with the land and a feature that is the focal point throughout the house.
Connections to the outdoors are prioritized – a classic “dog run” screened porch is oriented to harness the prevailing breezes and provide a shaded respite. The entry sequence is routed through an indigenous wildflower butterfly garden, and tall dormer structures provide direct views from top to bottom of the heritage oaks in the courtyard.
Walking paths are routed throughout the site to provide a variety of landscape experiences and to connect to the art studio and guest bedrooms.
Round Top Retreat