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Ranch built to inspire ribcage bones named 'heart house' by locals
The client said they wanted their retirement home to look like the "bones of the earth". This metaphor inspired the repetitive structural supports which are made of curved steel on the outside and laminated wood on the inside of the home, for a thermal break, and give the effect of a ribcage. The home is located off-the-grid on an 85 acre farm one hour west of Austin, Texas. The unique roof structure covers three volumes: the main home, the guest house, and the garage. The roof also channels water to a central gutter, where it is directed to an underground cistern for use during the hot Texas summers.
Locals dubbed the home "case de corazon" after the heart-shaped profile of the side elevation. The North orientation of all major windows, combined with soy-foam insulation in the roof and walls ensure that the operational costs are under 100 euros per month.
The materials used, which include local limestone laid in a coursed pattern and metal roofing, reflect the local vernacular of the 19th and 20th century Texas farm house, but in an updated form.
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