In 2003, I was itching to start something new and exciting having recently completed our own renovation and just returned from a leisurely 3 month stay in Australia and Indonesia.

Austin’s portfolio of truly modern, unique and functional architecture at this time was to say the least, non existent. I, in my small way wanted to change that and as one thing led to another I found myself purchasing a piece of challenging, hillside property and establishing a working relationship with the architectural firm of CottamHargrave.

Jay Hargrave and I set out to design a spec house literally around the kitchen sink. Since the kitchen is such the essence of a house, I felt working the house around the kitchen made perfect sense. The second criterion was to establish, in some places literally, concrete distinctions between public and private spaces. The third and last criterion was to build a negative-edged swimming pool, with 50 percent of the pool cantilevered over the ravine on the property.

The risk of building a spec house is high, but the risk of building something mediocre is just plain foolish. My naïve, yet simple theory was to build something truly spectacular where the project would literally sell itself and not need any “promotional” assistance.

This idea seemed to have paid off as the house sold 8 months before completion and transfer of ownership took place in March 2005. The home has since been listed in numerous architectural books and magazines. In 2006, the house was honored with excellence by winning the Tucker Design Awards, recognized as one of the most prestigious architectural design awards in the country.

The lead designer from CottamHargrave, Michael Waddell, explained the project prior to the start of construction:

All building sites contain elements that lend to the architectural solution. It is the job of the architect to interpret these elements and allow the manifestation of an appropriate solution. In the case of 402 Redbud the site communicated so much that the concept was all but revealed upon the initial site visit. The approach to the house weaves carefully up and across the site, preserving tree lines that allow visual privacy from Redbud Trail. Volumes cascade down the hillside following the natural grade closely in an effort to minimize destruction of the site. These volumes are grouped into two masses that are attached by a minimal steel and glass bridge that spans a narrow ravine that divide the two. The massing creates an open courtyard which embraces the dramatic view afforded by the site.

Primary living spaces are located on the first floor of the house. The centralized kitchen and living room open out to the courtyard of grass and stone that surrounds a hot tub and cantilevered pool with two negative edges. The kitchen and breakfast area are visually clean with commercial appliances and walk-in pantry. The living room, the largest volume of the house, has three exterior walls that are primarily glass anchored by two stone masses. The dining room is situated at the rear of the house, surrounded on the two sides by textured concrete walls that wrap the backside of the house. Separating the dining room and the kitchen is the long gallery, which is the organizing processional element.

Although the procession begins at the street, it is not fully realized until ascending the cascading steps past the reflecting pool and entering the gallery. At this point, the observer can see through the core of the house and the glass bridge to the terminus, which manifests at the structural concrete wall of the master wing.

Passing through this concrete wall, one enters the master suite. The bedroom perches just above the tree line, with a glass wall opening up to the view. Entering the room, one’s eye follows the concrete wall that wraps around the master suite, passing by the walk-in closet and around the bathroom, terminating just past the indoor/outdoor shower enclosure. A niche in the wall contains a Japanese soaking tub designed for two bathers. The bath utilizes minimal furnishings with elegant fixtures achieving an experience of cleanliness and serenity.

Upstairs from the master suite is a complete guest suite featuring a full bath and kitchenette. The second study and library are also located on this level. Two large window walls on the sides of the library open up to a patio overlooking the pool.

On the second floor of the main house are three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a media room that opens to a concrete patio that also overlooks the pool and ravine. The bedrooms feature full-height built-in closets and desks.

A three car garage, workshop and wine room occupy the lowest level of the house. The stone encased wine room features glass-doored and temperature controlled wine storage. This area also accommodates ample built-in storage.

The main structure of the house is constructed with 1000 yards of concrete and structural steel, with light gauge steel framing throughout. The exterior walls are either poured-in-place concrete, stucco or limestone veneer. Stained concrete floors and Mesquite hardwood flooring are predominant in this unique house.