Project Data:

Completion Date:     5/31/2023

Square Footage:      8316

Building Use:           Residential

Project Description:

Set in the rolling hills of Texas, this residence focuses on a family-oriented lifestyle in the countryside. It was important to take advantage of the connection to the landscape since the Texan hills offer breathtaking views and the fresh air of the rural backdrop. The design concept was created as a take on the "hill country" aesthetic under a modern light. The natural color palette and texture allude to some of the traditional architecture of the countryside and integrate the residence into nature and context rather than making it appear as a standalone structure. Being in a country club setting, the building is surrounded by other residences that are commonly in this typical countryside architectural style. As a reaction to its surrounding, this residence does not fight with its context but showcases its character through the modern take on its neighboring structures. Another point of site integration of the project was the preservation of existing trees. The disturbance is minimized through designing around the existing landscape, topography, and site drainage. In addition to this, the project incorporates passive design strategies to take advantage of the site's climate, wind pattern, solar exposure, existing vegetation, and site topography. The transparency of the building regarding its window locations is oriented to the sun path. The passive cooling effect of the building through the window orientation is especially effective in the Texas countryside given the fact that the sun can have a serious impact during certain months of the year. Cross ventilation helps the building to be cooled passively in an effective manner and is made available throughout the house by using operable seamless window panels that can transform the house into a half-enclosed structure. In addition to this strategy, roof overhangs trellises and shade trees selectively control heat gain. All these features in the project are not treated as add-on structures but as part of the overall concept design. The overhangs and shades work to modernize the traditional pallet of the residence and are crucial to the uniformity of the design. This approach is seen throughout our designs for multiple projects since it is the building block in making architecture that has intrinsic character and purpose. The residence also advocates for a well-being-focused lifestyle through its recreational functions. The program of the residence prioritizes a healthy life through providing spaces such as a sauna, cold plunge, steam room, jacuzzi, and pool. The residents are encouraged to take care of their well-being through these facilities, making it clear that this is a place of recreation and relaxation. The usage of such water features is also important given the hot Texan climate. The water significantly changes the everyday feel of the residents by creating a more serene oasis in the Texas hill-country.

Firm Name:              Hudgins Design Group, Inc

Completion Date:     5/31/2023

Square Footage:      8316

Building Use:           Residential

Location:                 Driftwood, Texas

Project Description:
The Design for integration framework is addressed in the project through its use of materials such as natural wood and stone and its form. The residence alludes to the existing architecture but has a modern take on it, which makes it blend in with the local neighborhood meanwhile showcasing character through its modernized concept.


The design for water framework is addressed through the water collection system located on the flat roof. The flat roofs can harvest rainwater up to 100% of the roof coverage with 10,000 gallons of storage.

The Design for Energy framework is addressed in many aspects of the building. The passive design strategies make the building intrinsically more efficient such as designing for cross ventilation, window orientation according to the sun path, the inclusion of water features to avoid the heat island effect, use of existing landscape as shading, and overhangs and sun shades being an integral part of the design concept.

Design for Well-being was an important aspect of the project's conception. The program of the residence prioritizes recreational facilities such as a sauna, pool, cold plunge, and steam room. The residents are encouraged to adopt a healing lifestyle.

The design for resources framework is addressed in the projects through its use of materials, usage of the local landscape, and rainwater collection. The construction of the building involved materials that were locally sourced and is meant to be sustainable within the local community. Designing around local resources was gravely important given the rural setting of the project.

Design Architect:

Associate Architect or Firm:
Hudgins Design Group

Landscape Architect:
Pharis Design

Owner / Developer:
Driftwood Three Vines, LLC

Engineer:
MJ Structures
GMEP Engineers
Atwell, LLC

General Contractor:
Homebound

Consultant:
Holt Engineers, INC.
Doucet & Associates

Photographer: