My father was a "Sea Bee" - Construction Battalion - in the Navy before he met my mother, so when they purchased property in the Texas Hill Country they decided to build the house themselves. My brother and I worked alongside my dad to build our family's house in 2006. During the process I learned the fundamentals of framing and finish carpentry - an experience that set me on the path to become an architect. At the time the 1,350 SF barn loft was intended to be a semi-temporary home until we built a larger house in the rear of the property. Following the 2008 recession however those plans quickly evaporated. Fourteen years later, our parents were ready to expand and provide much needed space for entertaining when everyone comes to visit for the holidays.

This addition was crafted to maintain the essential barn aesthetic of the structure while working to appear seamless - as if it was always part of the original design. The rear wall of the existing structure will be taken out, supported by an intermediate bearing wall and glue-lam beams. The bulk of the addition will serve as a living room and expansion to the kitchen. By wrapping the porch completely around the existing structure, then infilling a portion, we were also able to provide a master bedroom.

Construction is slated to begin Fall 2020.