ETHAN'S VIEW AT THE BACKYARD | Bee Cave, Texas, USA | 2018

Architects: Bercy Chen Studio LP.
Client: Jalene Greer Terrrac Partners LLC.
Contractor: HOAR Construction

Ethan's View at The Backyard is a community rooted in a sense of place.

Situated in Bee Cave, Texas, 15 miles from downtown Austin and in the heart of Texas Hill Country, the project consists of 38 luxury condominium units and 16 individual townhouses. This unique residential neighborhood occupies a striking hillside site with commanding views over the protected Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and beyond to the Texas Highland Lakes.

The project is nestled into a lush landscape of native Texas forest and grassland. Upon arrival off Bee Cave Parkway, an entry court is flanked by two condominium blocks connected via sky bridge, framing a view between the townhouses to the landscape beyond.

The massing of the buildings defines shared amenity spaces including a formal lobby, covered parking, gym, pool area, and outdoor entertaining decks. A looped circulation drive knits the site and residences together.

The four-story condominium buildings and two and three level townhouses range in size from 1,100 sf to 3,600 sf. All residences are spacious with open-plan living areas extending to exterior decks. Residences come standard with European cabinetry and appliances, generous walk-in closets, and well-appointed baths.

The architectural material palette is clean, luxurious, and minimal: cast-in-place concrete structure, stone cladding, painted steel, hardwood floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The weaving of nature, architecture, and landscape establishes Ethan's View at The Backyard as a unique luxury destination within the greater Austin region.

When the Project was originally presented, no less than fifteen items were given as key constraints and opportunities for the site and program.

The first challenge was how to place nearly 250,000 square feet of program onto just over two acres of land, half of which was to remain as natural landscaping. In addition to the geometry, the irregular and sloping nature of the site necessitated a stepped building massing. Together, these two items shaped the buildings into three “ribbons” that flow with the landscape and vary in height.

A series of extremely prescriptive and demanding ordinances, variances, and deed restrictions also required a studied interpretation of the local code. The most challenging of these were a limited building height, limited building footprint, generous open space, limits on glazing, and what is defined as “articulation and variation of the façade.”

The architectural language for the project is structurally expressive while still reflecting the tranquility of the Texas Hill Country landscape.

A structural concrete grid forms an open lattice into which each unit can be inserted in any number of combinations. Within the grid is a minimal palette of silvered hardwood, bronze railing, and seamless floor-to-ceiling glass with a concealed frame.

On the East and West sides of each building, stacked charcoal basalt walls create clear building edges.

Open space was also important to our client and the city. Over half of the site is dedicated to natural vegetation, open grass areas, and gardens. Our client partnered with a local restaurant to create a 12,00-square-foot test garden and apiary to supply the restaurant with fresh produce. As well, large existing Live Oak groves were preserved as a natural buffer to the street.