Thurston Residence

PROJECT LOCATION: Westlake Hills, Texas
CLIENT: Dr. and Mrs. George Thurston
DOC: In Progress

DESCRIPTION:
The client is a retired professor in biophysics engineering and the owner of a medical instrument design and manufacturing company that supplies medical fluid viscosity and blood analysis equipment to medical facilities throughout the world. His wife is a CPA. We have worked previously with this client.

The program suggested a response to the relatively steep north facing site that is two stories with the entrance from the south at the street elevation into the public level and descending to a private sleeping and media level below. The limestone substrate provides a natural retaining wall. A long linear plan creates the opportunity for natural light and cross ventilation in all areas of the house. Functional areas are expressed by changes in massing, scale and materials. Accessibility was a key determinant.

The house is entered across a bridge to a “dog run” inspired entry hall with fireplace and dining. Adjacent to this space to the west is a “machine tower” housing the support function of the house including: stairway, elevator, powder room, laundry, mechanical space, coat closets and vertical chases.

The dominant mass of the house is located to the east of the entry and its mass is a cube composed of expressed structural steel, stucco and glass. This area includes living room kitchen/breakfast and small study alcove. Below is located the master bedroom, bath, and separate dressing areas.

The kitchen and master baths are expressed in a two-story bay window that enfronts the uphill side of the house. Its combination of clear and acid etched glass offers controlled visibility and privacy. To the east of the stair tower is a hip roofed pavilion that functions as a library above and guest bedroom below.

A fifth massing element at the far east side of the property is a separate two-story section housing the carport accessed by a bridge off the street elevation with storage and a workshop below.

Materials used include steel, native stone, stucco, cement board, standing seam metal roofing, aluminum storefront system, and perforated metal panels.