A Peninsula House on Lake Austin, Texas

What do you get when you combine a contemporary design studio like Bercy Chen Studio with a traditional, 1980′s lakehouse right on Lake Austin? A spectacular vacation home with breathtaking views, that includes the best of both worlds–that is the comforts of a traditional lakehouse with the relaxing powers of modern design. The original home was built in the 1980′s and to Bercy Chen Studio’s disappointment, did not take advantage of the spectacular lake views just feet away from the house! That is why large glass windows, spanning from the ceiling to the floor, were installed around the entire house–to allow as much of the beautiful view in as possible. The previous house also did not respect or pay too much mind to the nature around it–but Bercy Chen made sure to change all of that with their remodel!

The roof begins to dissolve at the top right hand corner–this part of the roof is made of slatted wood, and houses the glass chimney. It was purposefully designed this way to further connect the house to the natural world around it.

A pool nearly surrounds the entire house, hence the name “Peninsula House.” The expansive glass doors can be slid open, and one can literally walk out from the living room and into the calm and modern pool for a quick, refreshing dip.

A pool, solarium, and vegetative roof were added to meld with the natural surroundings.

Glass paneled walls surround the entire house. A glass balcony was installed into the roof. The traditional gabers and gable roof were transformed to look more abstract.

A good deal of glass, steel, and new details were used to completely reinvent the home.

Color, reflection (from both the materials and the surrounding pool), and geometry was incorporated into the design as much as possible, in order to bring natural light deep into the house.

The modern and sleek open kitchen and dining area.

A few hints or elements of the traditional lakehouse still remain in the house. The kitchen, while streamlined, is furnished with dark, rich mahogany cabinetry.

Though more modern, the interior design still retains the coziness of a vacation getaway home by the lake.

The severely simple dining area offers the opportunity for tranquil evening meals.

Even the restroom offers views of the outdoors.

A modern balcony, surrounded by green plants, is even more exposed to the natural world right in front of the house with the use of glass panels.

This is the red and wood furnished reading room of the house.