Text description provided by architects. Barrera House is a seemingly simple solution to a complex program on a small city center property. 370 square meters. The site is located within San Antonio’s Historic District and a stone’s throw from the Tower of the Americas designed by famed mid-century architect O’Neill Ford. The home is shaped by its context and the client’s desire to live sustainably and well within a small space, located within their close-knit community.
Outdoor spaces provide connection to and escape from the city. Locating the primary living quarters upstairs provides clients with greater privacy, tranquility and views. This frees up the ground plane for hidden parking and 5,000 gal. From rainwater collection to the landscaped front yard, private patio and pool. Balconies on both levels connect the grouping between neighboring houses. These alliances strengthen relationships between neighbors and help strengthen the urban fabric.
The house cross party provides efficient trading. The central staircase connects the private and public halves of the house. Being the most frequented space in the house, the staircase opens up to outdoor views and directs visitors towards the living spaces above. Concrete and wooden staircase details express the transition from the grounded first floor to the airy living spaces above.
Vaulted ceilings above the kitchen, living and dining rooms offer a stunning view of the historic tower downtown. Covered porches bookend the living spaces. Wooden slats provide shade from the southwest sun and privacy from the street. Bedrooms and bathrooms are modest and quiet environments for rest. Mirrors and a built-in bathroom planter invite the outside in and help the small room feel generous.
Building systems and material selection support resource conservation and the client’s desire for minimal maintenance. The 11 kW remote solar array (blocked in the home due to historical requirements) offsets 100% of the home’s electricity needs and is maintained by the energy provider. Timeless, natural materials are chosen to age gracefully and make this modern home feel at home in its historic context. The siding is made of ash heat-treated by Thermory, and the walls are painted with a lime-based hydraulic plaster.
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