Austin Lakeside Living + Unparalleled Luxury at the Rockcliff Residence
Step inside this stunning home by LaRue Architects that offers the ultimate connectivity to the outdoors for year-round enjoyment
The Rockcliff residence by LaRue Architects sits on a beautiful, heavily-treed, private site that overlooks Lake Austin. A love of nature is showcased in every inch of the design of this serene 6,200-square-foot home as the site includes a lovely footpath that runs throughout the property and offers the feeling of being encompassed in nature for both the homeowners and their precious dogs, who enjoy roaming freely throughout the peaceful grounds. The homeowners, who both have a deep appreciation for the outdoors, were incredibly involved in the design process and helped to ensure that the home was lake-oriented in every way. From the retractable, screened-in porch to the stunning glass doors on both sides of the home, and the boat dock with plenty of outdoor games — this home exudes warmth, modernity, and fun.
A gate at the front of the property leads to a meandering driveway that weaves beautifully between groves of oak trees, including a magnificent 33-foot tree that serves as a stunning welcoming statement. The LaRue team considered the placement of the home to emphasize the shape of the lot and to maximize views of the lake, while creating inward privacy.
“With the luxury of having such a deep lot, we were able to locate the house as close to the lake as governed, while creating a long experiential procession leading up to the home upon entering the site,” says James LaRue, founder and principal of LaRue Architects. “When we are presented with the opportunity to design a home on a lakeside lot, our primary goal is to establish a strong connection between the house and lake, with the outdoor living area and pool in between the two being just as important spaces as any interior square footage.”
LaRue specifically designed the shape of the pool as an extension of the architecture, matching the same angle of the home. Design Ecology detailed the specifics of the infinity edge pool and catch basin.
The Rockcliff residence is a master class in design. “The roof hovers above the two-story home and mimics the massing of the floor plan below, while the long fascia establishes a horizontal datum that creates a warm weight to the building,” explains LaRue. The material palette is earthy and regional, with wood and stone driving the design, while more contemporary elements like metal panels on the upper floor and a smooth plaster soffit infer a contemporary edge. This contrast of materials creates the perfect ambiance for this lakeside retreat, offering the unexpected, yet flawless integration of a cabin-like charm with a modern aesthetic.
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Upon entering the front courtyard, the transparency of the home allows for breathtaking lakeside views. Adjacent to this entry procession is a large lawn that follows the angle of the home and serves as a perfect place for outdoor activities. The entry courtyard features a series of cut Lueders limestone that lead to the front door. The main living area features a glass core providing uninterrupted sweeping lake vistas from every vantage point. Twelve-foot-tall sliding glass doors open to a large covered outdoor living area, once again effortlessly merging the indoors with the outdoors and providing the ultimate entertaining space.
To the left of the main living and foyer is a guest bedroom, and on the upper floor are two bedrooms and a loft. The home is primarily one-story, as LaRue prefers to design houses that are “long and low and horizontal in nature.” The bedrooms are placed parallel to the property line and are designed to buffer the adjacent home and create height to provide inward privacy for the homeowners. The primary suite is placed near the opposite side property line, situated with a view to the pool and lake and has access to a floating cantilevered patio via a sliding glass door. The primary bath is casual, yet beautiful, and spa-like with natural materials such as stone and wood being implemented to create another connection with nature and the outdoors. The tub is organically carved stone and sits on a river rock base, creating a tranquil aesthetic.
With each detail of design being thoughtfully curated to embody a serene Lakeside retreat, The Rockcliff residence proves to be the ultimate in outdoor living meets unparalleled luxury.
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