Situated in one of Houston’s older residential neighborhoods, this house is surrounded by mature live oak trees. White stucco exterior elevations provide a blank canvas that highlights a dramatic play of dappled sunlight and deep shadows on sunny days. The house’s austere outer shell and perimeter walls enclose a luxuriously outfitted interior organized around a central courtyard with pools and waterfalls.

The ground level is designed for living and entertaining. Granite tiles cover all indoor spaces, and extend outdoors to the edges of the courtyard pool. The central interior space is a double height living area flanked on the north and south sides the kitchen and a wet bar respectively. The living room opens up to the courtyard on the east through a retractable glass partition. The western wall features a recessed niche for media projections. From above, diffused light enters though a series of clerestories.

The Second level is designed for private refuge. The bedrooms are organized into two wings that extend from the central living area and embrace the courtyard. The south wing, which faces the street, is the master suite. It bridges over the lap pool and whirl pool. Across the courtyard, the north wing contains secondary bedrooms and guest quarters.