- Year
- 2008
- Project
- Riverview Gardens
- Type
- Residential
- Area
- 6,000 SF
- Location
- Austin, TX
- Services
- Design | Construction
- About
Riverview Gardens is a collection of three identical residences located one block north of Lady Bird Lake in Austin. The homes draw inspiration from Hamilton Pool, where water, stone, and light carve a dramatic natural enclosure. This influence informs both the massing and the spatial sequencing, grounding the project in the region’s geology and landscape.
Each residence contains 2,700 square feet of interior living space, paired with an equal amount of outdoor area. The houses are elevated above grade to provide covered parking and shared recreational space below, while lifting the primary living areas above the tree canopy to capture expansive lake views. This elevation strategy allows the architecture to remain compact at the ground while opening outward toward the horizon.
Plans are organized along a north–south axis oriented toward the river, with views guiding the spatial hierarchy. Glass and planted screens mediate between public rooms facing the lake and more private spaces beyond, creating layered transitions rather than rigid separations. Solid east–west walls contrast with fully glazed north–south elevations, reinforcing both privacy and openness. Rooftop terraces complete each home as inhabitable outdoor rooms, partially enclosed with translucent panels that frame views while maintaining seclusion.
Work Performed by Bercy Chen Studio
