Set at the crest of a hillside in New Braunfels, the Ferrand Residence transforms a layered architectural past into a grounded, contemporary home. Originally constructed in the 1940s, the residence had been modified through several decades of additions—some with merit, others with less thoughtful integration. The renovation aimed to retain the essence of the original structure while removing a large 1980s–90s addition that disrupted the home's spatial flow and character.
 

A defining feature of the site is a massive heritage live oak, estimated to be over 300 years old. Its expansive canopy and sculptural form became a central design influence. The house and detached garage were both positioned to respect the tree’s presence, framing views outward while ensuring its roots and canopy remained undisturbed.
 

The project was envisioned as a retirement residence for a couple transitioning into a new chapter of life. Their goals included a fully modernized layout with updated amenities, a rooftop deck to access long views over New Braunfels, and a home that felt intimately tied to the site.
 

The property’s steep drop-offs and irregular topography defined the buildable footprint and informed the massing of both old and new volumes. The original stone structure was preserved and anchors the composition, while a new addition reaches out an engages the site. A rooftop terrace was envisioned as a means of providing a unique experience in the landscape.
 

The design solution focused on bringing light and clarity to a once-compartmentalized interior. A linear light spine now connects old and new portions of the house, drawing daylight deep into the plan and organizing movement. Modern bay windows punctuate the façade, extending into the landscape and offering places to sit, reflect, and connect to the outdoors.
 

Material contrast was used intentionally. The warmth of wood and the refinement of steel-framed windows provide a clean counterpoint to the existing stonework. This juxtaposition reinforces the layered nature of the house—historical and contemporary, enclosed and open, grounded and elevated.

What emerged from the project is a home that is calm, responsive, and rooted. It does not overwrite the past, but rather engages it with clarity. The Ferrand Residence demonstrates how limitations—of site, structure, and history—can become opportunities to create architecture that is quiet, deliberate, and deeply contextual.

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