3 min read
For the latest in this series, which highlights healthy and sustainable homes from around the world, we look at a wellness-focused property by Lake Flato Architects, designed for a senior couple to age gracefully in place.
In 2021, Lake Flato Architects unveiled the Round Top Retreat, a fine example of modern, wellness-focused architecture designed to seamlessly integrate with its natural surroundings. The project – developed for a retired couple from Houston seeking a tranquil weekend escape – demonstrates the firm’s commitment to blending contemporary design solutions with local vernacular influences.
The project began with clear and inspiring directives from its owners. “They envisioned a serene refuge from urban life, one that would harmonize with the natural landscape, capitalize on northern light, and feel deeply integrated into the Round Top community,” explains project architect and associate partner at Lake Flato, Laura Jensen. The homeowners, well-acquainted with the local culture, sought a residence that reflected both the region’s architectural traditions and a modern sensibility. They requested a fully accessible and low-maintenance single-story home with gardens and an art studio, plus spare bedrooms so their grown children and grandchildren could comfortably visit.
“[The owners] envisioned a serene refuge from urban life, one that would harmonize with the natural landscape, capitalize on northern light, and feel deeply integrated into the Round Top community."
Laura Jensen, Lake Flato
The Round Top Retreat is a new-build construction project that replaced a small, deteriorated two-story structure on the site, located around 90 miles west of Houston. The new residence encompasses 3,411 square feet of conditioned (temperature and humidity controlled) space and 2,586 square feet of unconditioned space.
“The owners were interested in something that felt vernacular but still contemporary,” continues Jensen. “We were most inspired by a dance hall near Round Top, La Bahia Turn Verein. It has a gorgeous high ceiling with an exposed roof structure and timber trusses. Dance halls also typically have simple ‘flap’ openings on both sides for airflow and natural ventilation, which we considered when locating operable windows.”
One of the most distinctive features of the design is its integration with the site’s mature oak trees. These trees were originally obscured by underbrush, but the architects chose to reveal and incorporate them into the project, effectively wrapping the house around them.
Lake Flato collaborated with Austin-based practice Rialto Studio on the landscape design, to carefully align the creative vision for the indoor and outdoor spaces. This approach preserved the natural beauty of the site but also robustly grounds the home within its local context and environment. Biophilic aspects such as a large, open courtyard, outdoor walking paths and a butterfly garden encourage mental and physical wellbeing through a connection to nature.
A primary consideration was ensuring accessibility for the homeowners as they age. The home’s single-story layout includes a long deck which functions as an access ramp, providing connections to the carport. While the design is wheelchair-accessible, the architects also wanted to emphasize and encourage physical movement and interaction, with well-planned pathways connecting various parts of the property and outdoor areas designed for ease of cooking, gathering, and entertaining. “Each space was thoughtfully considered for how it would be used and occupied,” says Jensen.
“We also leveraged [smart] technology to make things easier for the owners, but our aim was to keep the systems relatively simple, with nothing so complex that it would require programming by a third party.”
Jensen explains how Lake Flato’s design philosophy prioritizes sustainability and occupant wellbeing. For the Round Top Retreat, this meant employing passive design strategies to optimize natural ventilation, daylighting and solar gain. The use of local, natural materials and resourceful construction methods further supports environmental goals. The home features primarily timber construction with steel connectors as needed, and interior elements were largely manufactured from wood with low or no VOC finishes to ensure a healthy indoor environment.
The mechanical systems are designed for efficiency, with Mitsubishi heat pumps and separate dehumidification systems, addressing the region's hot and humid climate. These choices reflect Lake Flato’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and creating a comfortable living space that supports the health and wellbeing of its occupants.
Last year, the 150-strong Texas practice published its 2023-2025 Design Performance Action Plan, which formalizes its longstanding commitment to sustainable and responsible design principles. Alongside operational goals and strategies, this also includes measurable targets for each project, guided by a nominated sustainability champion on every team.
The Round Top Retreat is a testament to these principles, demonstrating how thoughtful design can harmonize with nature while enhancing the quality of life for its inhabitants. The project meets the homeowners’ needs but also reflects a broader commitment to creating spaces that are environmentally responsible, inclusive and deeply connected to their surroundings.
In December, Lake Flato principles David Lake and Ted Flato received the AIA Gold Medal 2024, in recognition of their influence on the theory and practice of architecture in America.
Photography: Chase Daniel
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