Modeled after the actual historic
progression in living space and formal geometry from farm to palace,
this European inspired residence dazzles and makes an incomparable
statement. Not only is it elegant, the plan is quite flexible under a
variety of circumstances. It is a completely up to date architectural
design with modern amenities including an elevator. The basic design
can be adapted to Italian, French, or even Contemporary lines.
HISTORY
Throughout
Italy and France, the Tuscan and Provence styled home has enchanted
every visitor and became the prototype design to emulate. For
centuries the simple block house was the standard form in these
regions. It was an evolution that Apono/Henry has captured at its
zenith.
Imagine the medieval farmhouse,
originally one story, which had to shelter family, livestock, and
store grain/supplies/tools, etc. As the farm and owner’s family
grew, two options were available. Either to build additional
structures to accommodate needs and/or build a second floor over the
first. These two avenues can be seen in the many examples dotting the
countryside.
When the owner elected to build
above, they first installed a ladder or small staircase from inside.
But if animals remained inside the first floor, an exterior staircase
was built in order to avoid the obvious problems and the owner’s
living quarters were fashioned above. The rationale in part was that
heat generated below in winters would rise and supply some of the
warmth. The first floor fireplace flu was built upon and extended
through the second floor.
Now these living quarters became the
‘piano nobile’—an Italian term that literally means the noble level,
or owner’s suites. Over centuries, the compact two-story form gained
the reputation of simple construction and energy/materials
conservation. The same derivative in colonial America is obvious.
When the decision came by those with means to build anew or for the
first time, this same geometrical form was followed.
When nobility and royalty erected
palaces and chateau, this same model was followed in countless
examples. If you recall in Versailles, the king’s chambers and formal
suites are on the second level, not the first. The first floor
contained rooms for offices, livery, stores, guest suites and
reception rooms. The wonderful Linderhof in Bavaria is organized
exactly in this manner. In Venice, the palazzi on the canals have
similar space layouts. In fact, this historic idea was incorporated
in several of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs and was the model for
Corbusier’s ‘Villa Savoye’ in the 1930’s.
During the Renaissance, symmetry (as
in the human body) was deemed a guiding design principle. While the
rustic farms had single stairways usually off center, the larger new
villas being built by wealthy merchants and nobility in the south of
Europe incorporated central stairways or double flights on the outside
to offer a direct route to the piano nobile.
So, we have not really reinvented the
house -- John Henry Architect has reintroduced and packaged this superb notion
for the contemporary homeowner. Where there were storerooms and
animal stalls, now we have placed 3 garages, storage area or office
with private exterior entry, two secondary bedrooms with baths ensuite,
galley kitchen/utility room, and large central den/reception hall –
accessed from ground floor directly. There is a grand sweeping
interior stairway and an elevator to communicate effortlessly with the
upper floor.
The real surprise as one enters the
Great Hall is another Renaissance feature that originated from Rome’s
pantheon: a rotunda space. Palladio’s most famous villa, named after
Capra or now “La Rotonda”, includes a round central living area in the
middle of a cubicle block with narrow hallways to exterior porches.
Close to Paris, French architects responsible for finishing Versailles
created the magnificent Vaux le Vicomte, which cleverly pushes the
circular area to an outside wall to gain direct view to the outside.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s reasoning to ‘go
up’ was simply to avoid the noise and distraction of street activity
in a bustling age of horse carriages, noisy new cars, and constant
pedestrian traffic. He was so inspired by this tree top view to the
outside world that he created his famous leaded glass based on natural
forms. Corbusier wanted to improve the view of the owners on a second
living floor and third level observation terrace. He also separated
the car and utilities (machines) from the living quarters.
FUNCTIONALITY
This is a zoned design. A few
possibilities on livability are as follows:
Young Family: Can leave entire ground
floor unfinished (new construction) including elevator, and live
perfectly on second floor. Ballroom is actually double size, so one
bedroom with bath can be cut out of this space for young children.
Intermediate Family: Teens can move
downstairs with their own Den. Additional bedroom can be converted
from one of 4 car garage stalls for three total downstairs and two
upstairs.
Mixed Family: Two different family
groups or individuals can share space. Elevator can be used
exclusively without interfering with ground floor inhabitants. Galley
kitchen can be developed at utility room. Latter can be moved into
4th garage bay with storage. Garages on both sides of ground floor
can be used independently of each other. Interior stairway can be
blocked off. Independent entries are available on both levels.
Mature Family with Elderly/Sick: For
baby boomers, semi-retired with aging parents- easy to care for loved
ones on main floor with own living and kitchen facility. Elevator can
be activated to bring upstairs for dining or visitation, etc. Private
and independent as necessary.
Office and Living: This model is
similar to medieval European examples in Germany, France, England,
Netherlands, etc. Living quarters above work area. Can bring clients
into building below without affecting owner’s quarters above. Extra
bedrooms become offices, etc.
Offered at $1.45M finished or available for
rent 1-2 years.
Contact Architect now for details. Projected finish date:
Jan. 30, 2007. Excellent real estate investment in super location
with community access to lake with nearby boat slips. Private
corner lot with dry creek in back.
Has lake access by private easement. Not
congested and very close to all Austin, Texas amenities! 5 minutes
from beautiful City Park, a great recreational area. Only 10 minutes
from loop 360 and 25 minutes to downtown Austin. 45 minutes to
airport. 18 minutes to high-end shopping. Lake Travis boating and
fishing nearby.
LOCATION and
AMENITIES
In Green Shores, this rare corner
lot has beautiful three-mile views above the treetops that could not
be appreciated unless one lived on the second level. Every morning,
breakfast can be taken looking out over the southern ranges and a deck
accommodates outside living. A similar entry deck is on the north
side of the rotunda space. Windows allow light and views from both
sides and the rotunda has the additional feature of an oculus or
skylight that will cast a continuous array of lighting effects from
dusk til dawn.
There is a beautiful vaulted and beamed
ceiling in the island Kitchen with custom designed cabinetry. Nearby
is an expanded pantry that can include a second work area and attached
storage plumbed for a full bath. The second floor also has a large
formal Dining room or Ball Room that opens from the Rotonda and has a
direct connection to the Kitchen.
The Master Suite is a unique design
with views towards the south with a coffer ceiling. Opening to the
bath area with shower and tub, the vanities and woodworked design are
truly period touches crafted by the architect. The very large closet
area has double hanging ranks and a private full sized washer drier.
The very personal touch of adding a boudoir for privacy (and panel
door to the powder room) is quite exclusive.
The rear of the house is oriented to
the corner of the lot to maximize the apparent depth. Access to the
pool and grounds below are from the rear of the ground floor Den and
down two matching stone stairways. Privacy is assured due to the fact
a stream borders the rear property line. A covered porch on the
ground floor allows shade while contemplating nature and a spot for
cooking outdoors.
Other details include: a timer actuated exhaust for the garage, real
stone columns/door surround and limestone base at exterior double
stairway, custom designed cabinets and fireplace, wood flooring at
piano nobile, extended life architectural grade roofing, finials (and
optional cresting/statuary). Final customization of flooring, tile,
plumbing and lighting, wall colors, etc, is possible for a limited
time only.
This is a beautiful French Country
Chateau/Villa that will be a joy in which to live and a lasting real
estate investment in the hills of Austin, Texas.
All inquiries please contact John Henry
Architect at 407 421 6647 or
johnhenry@cfl.rr.com Current (subject to change) subdivision
information below:
Greenshores on
Lake
Austin (2005)
Incredible wooded homesites nestled in the hillsides overlooking Lake
Austin and breathtaking canyon greenbelts.
Each home includes use of the
Lake
Austin Waterfront Park with boat ramp and day docks, exclusively for
the use of Greenshores Homeowner's Association members.
Schools:
Austin I. S. D. -
Highland Park
Elementary, Lamar Middle School, McCallum High School.
Utilities:
Electric : Austin Energy Water and Wastewater : Lake Navigation
Company, Central Propane Gas :
Texas
Community Propane, Telephone :
Southwestern Bell, Cable : Time Warner. No Septic System
Required
http://www.dreamhomedesignusa.com/images/Photoshop Images/Grand Foyer Stairs.gif
Cost to purchase most existing
plan designs is $4.90/ SF typ. for
Permit Set drawings, $3.30/SF for Schematic Design only (see each description for
plan contents/availability)
NOTE: We do not
have plan books nor send copies of our floor plans unless we are
under contract. Please
contact us to receive typical contract form, or set an
appointment to view most of our work at our Orlando office.
