The Peninsula Residence on Lake Austin by Bercy Chen Studio [25 pics]

twistedsifter

14 years ago

bercy chen studio architecture peninsula residence lake austin 3 The Peninsula Residence on Lake Austin by Bercy Chen Studio [25 pics]

It didn’t take long to go back to Texas to feature another stunning property. After highlighting the Lake Travis Retreat last week, my Twitter friend @dtbrowne pointed me to Bercy Chen Studio and the incredible work they do in and around Austin, Texas. Their work has garnered international awards and recognition. The Peninsula Residence is a testament to their design philosophy and commitment to sustainability, enjoy!

THE PENINSULA RESIDENCE ON LAKE AUSTIN

The project begins with a 1980’s home-builder house fronting on lake austin. The original design did not harness views to the lake and Mount Bonnell, nor did it respect the ecological sensitivity of its site. The challenge was to develop a sensitive and inventive result out of a pre-existing condition.

Through the use of glass, steel, detailing and light the home has been adaptively reinvented. Reflection, translucency, color and geometry conspire to bring natural light deep into the house. A new solarium, pool, and vegetative roof are tuned to interact with the natural context.

Exterior materials and refined detailing of the roof structure give the volume clean lines and a bold presence, while abstracting the form of the original dormers and gable roof. Further connecting the home to its site, the roof begins to dissolve where a glass clad chimney and slatted wood screen stand in relief against the sky.

BERCY CHEN STUDIO LP

Bercy Chen Studio LP is an architecture & urban planning firm with design/build capabilities based in Austin, Texas founded in 2001 by partners Thomas Bercy and Calvin Chen, both graduates of the University of Texas at Austin.

Thomas is from Belgium and Calvin is from Taiwan by way of Australia; the partners’ European and Asian backgrounds form a design philosophy of unique perspectives. The work is influenced by vernacular precedents from various cultures- whether Islamic, Indian, African or pre-columbian, while maintaining respect for the particular contemporary contextual conditions.

Due to this unique approach, the work has received national and international attention. Bercy Chen Studio won the prestigious “Emerging Voices” prize from the Architectural League of New York in 2006. Every year the League selects 7 of the most innovative designers from Europe and North America for this award.

Bercy Chen Studio LP is committed to collaborating with clients in identifying design solutions and planning strategies to create innovative designs based on environmentally sustainable and financially viable business models. Having experience as a design/build operation, the firm’s first hand knowledge of construction & finance is crucial in ensuring successful project implementation. The firm has been a member of the City of Austin’s Green Building Program and USGBC with certified 3 Star projects.

Calvin & Thomas are both active participants of the community. Calvin serves on the City of Austin’s Design Commission and participated on several initiatives, including the “Create Austin” Cultural Masterplanning project. They both serve on the board of advisors for the Austin Museum of Art.