Story:

Have you ever wondered what the storybook prince and princess became when they grew up? Well, I found them! They shed their titles for common names and had four perfect little children. They may look like you and me, but there’s no mistaking this charming family and the french-inspired Plateau Chateau they call paradise.

Location:

San Antonio, Texas (Designed 2008; Built 2010)

Idea:

spatial equality

Personalized new home!

Stats:

7,360 SF; 6BR, 5-1/2BA, 1,400 SF patios, 736 SF courtyard, 2,460 SF terrace, 3-car garage, 2-1/2-story

Client’s Style:

french country

Services:

The Sketch, The Details, The Docs

Lifestyle Features:

• living-serving quad creating expandable and related formal and informal dining areas
• equal-sized children’s rooms to avoid bedroom envy
• master suite close to the kids, but far enough way for privacy
• private master sitting and patio area
• first floor and basement floor living areas for entertainment and private living
• fire pit for intimate outdoor entertainment
• outdoor kitchen for outdoor cooking and dining
• secluded office to provide privacy with a view
• exercise room with access to outside terrace for natural environment yoga sessions
• pergola for shady outdoor relaxation
• butler’s pantry for serving between main kitchen, informal dining and formal dining areas
• basement living/media room for surround-sound entertainment
• detached 2-car garage/workshop
• built-in entertainment center to hide audio equipment and be a centerpiece
• music room designed to accentuate piano music
• equipment chase from basement to second floor to run wiring and ductwork
• extensive outdoor living areas accessible from public, private, ground and lower level spaces
• greenhouse to practice green thumb hobby and grow fresh herbs

Environment Solutions:

• carved into the sloping site to reveal a two-story facade on approach and a three-story facade on the terrace side
• open air terrace for outdoor activities
• covered loggia on south facade to shade home and reduce heat gain
• spray-foam roof/wall insulation to create contiguous and super-insulated building envelope for better energy-efficiency
• solar hot water heater to efficiently heat potable water
• reused excavated rock to create terraced landscape
• mud room to separate garage from main home for better indoor air quality
• designed with southern exposure for future solar panel retrofit to generate electricity and reduce utility consumption
• sited for rainwater catchment system for irrigation

Community Influence:

• nestled in the trees to emulate a french mountain estate
• strong french facade detailing, roof massing and facade ornament

Images: