Berry Lake House

Designed as a series of gabled roof buildings along the shore of Eagle Mountain Lake, the Berry lake house draws inspiration from the utilitarian sheds and native limestone walls of northern Texas.

A long central gallery, sited to preserve existing trees, forms the spine and main organizing element of the building. This gallery, which begins in the bunk room as a window seat, runs past the garage as a covered entry, extends through the main sleeping spaces, and terminates in the largest gabled-roof building. Punctured with intermittent skylights, the roof and ceiling of the gallery remain constant as a stabilizing influence, while stairs, inserted at key locations to accommodate the slope of the land, allow the corridor to gradually open up as one descends toward the pavilion and the subsequent expanse of the lake. Native limestone walls shield the ends of each gabled building, providing visual security from adjacent neighbors while also defining the rhythm of heavy stone masses separated by lighter wood structures. To connect back to the land and enhance the nature-centered purpose of the home, intimate courtyards frame the main sleeping space.