Cut into the limestone cliff, this modern steel and glass house literally becomes an integral part of this ridge located on Redbud Trail in West Lake Hills of Austin, Texas. Soaring Wings, as it is referred to, was designed by a local architect, Winn Wittman. Due to the complexity of site and structure it took all of four challenging years to bring to fruition.
I met Winn while building 402 up the street and he persuaded me come on board in March 2006 to complete his already started project. The house sold in March 2007 and we finished up the project in June of the same year.
Winn Wittman’s own words follow:
Soaring Wings the house, Austin Texas
The Elements:
Soaring Wings provides the perfect backdrop for living a life of infinite possibilities, in harmony with nature and created from the four elements: earth, air, fire and water.
Live in Sculpture
Soaring Wings is a sculpture, to be viewed from all angles. Presented with inspiring volumes, I discover what functional affordances those shapes offer. Then I selected a palette of pleasing and complimentary materials, unique yet
appropriate to the location, and with an eye toward longevity and sustainability.
The palette that comprises Soaring Wings includes Shell stone, a rare limestone unique to central Texas and embedded with the fossilized shells of sea creatures.
Made to Last:
The structure of the house is entirely made of red iron. Unlike light-gauge metal frames or wood, red iron has tremendous strength in compression and tension. With full penetration welds, the frame alone took over a year and a half and $800,000 to complete. The frame is so attractive and such an integral part of the design, that it is left exposed wherever possible.
Other materials include Pink Arizona sandstone for the terrace, Black Granite, for the pool coping and waterfall, textured glass for the bridge and stair tower, and rare woods for flooring and cabinetry.
Spatial Arrangement: The Separation of Public and Private:
Soaring Wings is unique in that there is a separation of public entertainment spaces and private living spaces into two distinct building forms. To get from public to private one must cross a two-story textured-glass bridge, which spans the entry stairs. This creates a more pronounced sense of seclusion than in a typical home. The bedroom areas are further separated with the master suite on one level and the secondary bedrooms on another level for maximum privacy.
The Property:
From the moment you enter the gate and drive up the long, tree-lined drive, you know that Soaring Wings is not only a home, but a gracious property consisting of two lots combined into one, to provide the kind of privacy you require. Total lot area over an acre and a half of wooded area.
Square Footage:
Over 5600 square feet of conditioned space. Plus over 3000 square feet of decks and terraces. The house consists of living areas on three levels, with an elevator, bridge, and stair tower. On the ground level there is a 2 car garage, home theater, wine cellar, work area and powder bath. On the main living area or 1st level, we have the entry, 2 living areas, kitchen pantry, dining, and bar. On the upper level, there is another living area, library with fireplace, guest bedroom and bath. Cross over the textured-glass bridge, and you have two more bedrooms with baths on the upper level and the master suite on the lower level. There are decks on all levels that wrap around the house. These decks are done in Arizona Sandstone, and Ipe, one of the hardest and most durable woods in the world.
The Master Suite:
The Master suite consists of a large bedroom area with window wall and balcony overlooking the valley below. There is an enormous bath area with his and hers sinks, his and hers walk in closets, and a massive tub carved from a solid block of granite. This tub sits in a bed of black river rock, which extends out through the glass behind it, into a private courtyard and Japanese rock-garden area.
Amenities:
From the custom handrails designed specifically by Winn Wittman for Soaring Wings, to the black granite, negative-edge waterfall, no expense has been spared. The home theater, with its spectacular 60" plasma screen, the wine cellar, with humidor and tasting table, the gourmet kitchen, with its Subzero and gourmet appliances. There is even an elevator which takes you up three levels: from garage level, to kitchen to drop off groceries, up to the very top. There is a beautiful flow both vertically and horizontally as you move through the house.