GLUCK+

Floating Box House

Lift the house to frame the view

Austin, TX

Standing amid a grove of two hundred landmarked live oaks, Floating Box House hovers over the site and frames the urban skyline of Austin in the distance. To maintain the character of the surrounding landscape, significant portions of the house are built below grade.

Houses 14,000 sf Completed in 2005 Architect-Led Design Build

Stories

A surgical excavation

To protect the roots of dozens of landmarked live oaks, the team executed an almost surgical excavation of 7,000 yards of rock.
A surgical excavation

Floating the box

The bulk of the house is reduced by partially burying it below grade, but its "floating box" effect is a different story.
Floating the box

The stair as a sculpture

Creativity is needed when departing from conventional construction: this central staircase is the perfect example.
The stair as a sculpture

Press & Recognition

2006

Award of Excellence

American Institute of Architects New York State

2006

Honor Award

Boston Society of Architects

2006

Design Award

Texas Society of Architects

2009

Design Award of Excellence

Society of American Registered Architects

Photographs

Type
Houses
Size
14,000 sf
Year
2005
Scope
Ground Up
Role
Architect-Led Design Build
LocationLoc.
Austin, TX
Floating Box House
Floating Box House