Some of the most desirable custom-home sites can be found in existing neighborhoods. The draw might be a spectacular view or the neighborhood itself, with its proximity to shopping, entertainment, and the other perks of city life. The two homes featured here occupy small footprints, but their architectural charisma, rich details, and finely tuned living spaces are big on impact.
Brimming with southern charm
Like many homes in the East Shore neighborhood of The Woodlands, Texas, this custom residence evokes New Orleans and Charleston, S.C., with its tall, narrow shape. The small, fenced-in yard, wrought-iron balcony railings, shutters, traditional columns, brackets, and decorative shingles are also reminiscent of homes in those southern cities.
The kitchen is a dream for the homeowners, who love to entertain. The 14-foot island seats six, and there are two dishwashers, separate wine and beverage refrigerators, and an additional freezer in the adjacent walk-in pantry.
The curved stairway is a sculptural element at the entrance to the home, with space underneath for the clients’ baby grand piano.
A patio on the side of the house is set up for relaxing as well as for grilling, conveniently located just steps away from the walk-in pantry with its extra freezer.
The first-floor office was designed to include space for the wife’s custom-made Lone Star desk, and features many built-in cabinets and bookshelves.
The two-car garage has a high ceiling that accommodates lifts for two additional cars, allowing the client to store and tinker with his classic automobiles.
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Designing around the view
The swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, and fire pit were placed on the east side of the house, where they’re sheltered from prevailing winds coming up from the canyon. Glass walls enclosing the main living areas allow unobstructed views of the ocean.
Anigre, an African hardwood, was used for the doors, cabinetry, and the ceiling in the kitchen and living room as well as the media wall. The fireplace surround is limestone.
Precast Concrete Walls: Strong and TrueThe home in La Jolla, Calif., featured in this article was built with precast concrete wall panels that were made in the factory, delivered to the site, and erected by cranes in a single day. “We’ve used precast concrete panels on a couple of projects and they work pretty well,” says architect John Pyjar, principal of Domusstudio, San Diego.Domusstudio specified Metal Stud Crete thin structural wall panels from StructureCast of Bakersfield, Calif. The panels consist of thin, conventional concrete and modified light-gauge metal framing. They’re made by pouring 2-1/2-inch thick concrete into the metal frame and letting it cure.According to StructureCast, Metal Stud Crete panels far exceed minimum seismic, sound, fire, and wind requirements. The load-bearing, structural shear wall systems conform to building codes nationwide through ICC/ICBO.David Keitel, senior associate at Domusstudio, says using the panels was a challenge: “All the structural connection points are hidden in dual-sided panels that are capped on the top and ends.” But Pyjar points out that the manufacturing process results in a better product: “It has the look and finish of poured concrete, and by doing it in a shop versus in the field, [StructureCast has] much better control over quality.”
Precast concrete wall panels were used for the structure and also form part of the interior finish. The panels were fabricated off site and erected in a day.
Luxuriously appointed with an oversized shower and a sunken whirlpool tub, even the master bath has views of the ocean.
The flooring and stair treads are made of fossilized sandstone, quarried in India and cut into rectangles.
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