An impressive portfolio of remarkable and varied architectural projects in this, the fifth annual Fort Worth AIA Homes Tour, enriches and builds on past successes, furnishing unique insight into the creative design mind. This weekend’s tour features two houses of new construction, as well as three with additions or remodels of existing structures. Two are AIA prize winners, and three were architect-designed for their personal residences. The common thread, if there is one, is a particular Texas vernacular. Modern, yes, but made human by the use of native, natural materials.
3636 Manderly Place: The work of Scott Martsolf, might appear at first glance to be of wholly new construction, but it’s a re-do of a 50s rancher in an older, established neighborhood. Revetted and expanded upon, the clever reincarnation embraces the central pool, similar to a classic Roman house enveloping an impluvium.
3849 Riverhills View Drive: The work of David R. Stanford presents a strong face to the bend on which it sits, in the new, high-profile development of Edwards Ranch. Working within the addition’s restrictions, which allow only six design styles, the architect has executed a domicile of originality destined to happily blend with its environs.
3850 Washburn Ave.: The home of architect Gregory S. Ibañez conjoins a modern weathering steel-clad addition to a simple 30s-era structure. It reads as a sort of time tunnel. The humbler, earlier, edifice retains its original footprint if not its original floor plan, and acts as a corridor into the newer addition. The natural wood staircase, glimpsed from outside, is a lovely composition —a near square bisected by a strong diagonal.
6205 Juneau Road: Norman Ward will be familiar to daltxrealestate.com readers. His commission, perched on a vista-grabbing Mira Vista hill, has previously been featured on this page. If this house, an AIA award winner, appears perfectly inserted into a mature landscape, it is because the new construction was intentionally built on an earlier 60s foundation to preserve the site’s trees.
A beautiful repertoire of carefully chosen materials embellish the residence. Stone extends to the exterior and along with the decks, marry the interior with exterior. Roof overhangs tame the often intense Texas sun and allow pleasing indirect light to filter through Ward’s signature windows.
456 Remuda Drive: This is perhaps the most unique and intriguing concept on the tour. Previously the home of its architect Matthijs Melchiors, it has an upper addition superimposed upon an existing subterranean “earthship” with exposed windows on one side. Eco-conscious, it makes use of recycled materials, with the standout being repurposed Austin shell stone originally part of the Amon Carter Museum. The steep pitch of the upper floor roof facilitates rainwater recapture for irrigation.
The result of this unusual coupling is a provocative play of compelling contrasts. Lower level spaces are more intimate and secure. The upper floor spaces are expansive and sweep boldly upwards terminating in a soaring wall of windows. We’ve featured this unique structure before and continue to fall in love with it over and over again.
Tour proceeds support continuing education, an awards program, and a monthly, open-to-the-public lecture series.
“As we continue to gain momentum, we hope to solidify our tour as a permanent, seasonal event and grow community outreach and involvement.” said Brandon Allen, Fort Worth AIA chair.
Tour Dates are Saturday and Sunday, April 9 and 10, from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase online until midnight tonight from Fort Worth AIA. Tickets for individual houses are available on the day of tour for $10 each.
Eric Prokesh is an interior designer whose work has appeared on HGTV, and in books and publications including D Home, Southern Accents, House Beautiful, and House and Garden. In January 2005, HG named Eric one of the 50 tastemakers in America and D Home has included him as one of Dallas’ Best Designers for 10 years. Having lived most of his life in Dallas, he now calls Fort Worth home and is one of our experts on beautiful Fort Worth Dirt.
