Nolen Residence

PROJECT LOCATION: Blanco River - Wimberley, Texas
CLIENT: Norman and Martha Nolen
DOC: Spring 2003

DESCRIPTION:
The program called for a new residence for a couple nearing retirement that could accommodate the daily needs of the two persons but have the capacity to expand to accommodate three visiting adult sons and their growing families. What resulted was a single story, linear plan that is one room deep whose circulation parallels the flow of the Blanco River on which it fronts. Rooms were placed to take maximum advantage of different outdoor features including topography, stone outcroppings, magnificent live oaks which offer shade and interest, and site lines to the river. The concept was of a series of functional elements separated by "dog runs," some literal and some suggested.


The guest house comprised of three individual guest suites that open to a deep covered porch facing the river and is separated from the public house by a dog run breezeway.

The public house contains the entry to the house that is a glazed gallery opening toward the river. To one side is a large gathering room with fireplace, hidden bar, and powder room. To the opposite side of the entry is a country kitchen and dining room topped by a dormer to admit north light into the core of the house. A fireplace separates this space from the large screened room with its commanding views of the lake and its own outdoor fireplace.

The public element of the house is separated by a narrow corridor from the private element of the house containing study, master bedroom, and bath. A separate barn serves as storage for vehicles, provides a workroom/shop, and additional storage space.