This modern home on tree lined West University Boulevard, was conceived with the idea of a treehouse in mind. The forms of the house step back from the street and nestle into the mature live oak canopy along University Boulevard. The central staircase, custom fabricated out of steel, is designed to allow occupants to experience the trees at different vantage points. Wood cladding wraps the stair volume and furthers this connection. From the second floor one is at the level of greenery and horizontal limbs reach out towards the bedrooms. A guest suite separated by breezeway enhances the treehouse effect in this modern home.
The third floor office acts as a perch above the city with views to adjacent Rice Stadium and the city beyond. The home is designed for a family with three young children and a live in grandparent. As such it demonstrates a modern home for a casual family lifestyle.
Open spaces and visual connections allow parents to keep their eye on all three children. Durable materials and low maintenance solutions add practicality to the design in line with the family lifestyle. Sustainably features include low-e insulated windows, spray foam insulation, high efficiently AC, and low flow plumbing and solar ready connections.
The home is design to provide a welcome retreat in the trees for the family, aptly named the Birds on University Boulevard.