Friday, January 23, 2015
Rio Estancia in Boerne, Texas, has been selected as Home of the Year in the 2014 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The home also received honors as the South Central regional winner.
Rio Estancia was designed by Craig McMahon Architects Inc., of Bulverde, Texas, and Studio Industrielle in San Antonio. Studio Industrielle also served as the builder. The land planner for the project was Pete Hinton with Rialto Studio in San Antonio and Anna Meyers Interiors in Chicago was the interior designer.
The 350-acre property is located along the Guadalupe River in the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country. Taking cues from the panoramic vistas offered on the property, the main home, bedrooms and guest quarters were organized in the South American Estancia fashion, utilizing the elements of pavilion-living components to frame the main courtyard around the pool and edging up to the river.
The building program was organized in four zones, offering owners and guests private areas for living and entertaining as well as privacy and screening for parking so as not to interrupt the private areas of the landscape. The transparent and open plan is complemented with large covered terraces and arbors that extend the living spaces to the outside. Locally quarried stone walls block the north wind, while large southern overhangs control the summer sun.
Building orientation, electronically controlled window/mechanical systems, geothermal heating/cooling systems, tankless water heaters, expanded foam insulation, reclaimed water systems and solar collection are embraced for harmony with the climate
“The home feels as though it has been an integral part of the landscape from the beginning of time,” said 2014 BALA Chairman Stephen C. Moore, senior partner – marketing at BSB Design Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa. “Beautifully designed, rugged yet luxurious, this home brings the outside indoors.”
In its 31st year, BALA recognizes outstanding achievement by builders and design professionals in all sectors of the residential housing industry including single-family production, custom, rental, affordable, interiors, remodeling, community and international. Award winners were announced at the annual NAHB International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.
Tags: nahb, Rio Estancia
