Suspended on a narrow limestone ridge halfway down a cliff overlooking Lake Austin, this home enhances the drama of living in a stunning natural setting. We opened both the water and cliff-facing side with large windows and decks provide outdoor living at multiple levels.
“The house becomes a pass-through for the natural world.”
– Jane Cohen, homeowner, for Austin Monthly
This was a major renovation of a deteriorating 1970s house. The original entry way was a precarious exterior ramp that ran from street level down to a front door 25’ below. Now, the entry is a light-filled pavilion overlooking the lake that opens onto a large rooftop herb garden. A sequence of stairs, supplemented by an elevator, descends through the three levels of the house, revealing views of both the lake and limestone cliff as you work your way down.
The house includes flooring salvaged by the owners, furniture made from a collection of industrial parts they collected, and stone from a quarry they frequented during vacations. This gives the house the unique and charming character of its owners.