Traylor Ranch Guest House

PROJECT LOCATION: Beeville, Texas
CLIENT: Champ and Mimi Traylor
DOC: February 2002

DESCRIPTION:
All structures in the "headquarters" compound were oriented and organized about an axis established by a central plaza with water trough feature. An existing barn was demolished to facilitate a compact and efficient site plan for the new structures. The existing barrel vaulted barn has a steel pipe structural system clad with galvanized corrugated panels. The existing sheds incorporated a steel pipe wide flange structural system as well. In the same fashion, all new structures express their steel skeleton to the interior.

The ranch is located on the edge of the coastal plain and building stone is non-existent. Caliche pits, evidenced from the aerial photos, provided an opportunity to utilize the material in the form of caliche blocks for much of the walls. Stucco finished CMU was used also as a counterpoint to the texture and color of the block.

The most significant architectural examples are located approximately 45 miles to the east at Mission Espirito Santo and La Bahia. The simple forms and thick walls combine with steel industrial aesthetic to give form to these simple structures. The guest house sleeps twelve persons in a linear plan. A "machine element" to the north houses all mechanical services.