334 CASTANO – The 2400 s.f. home is personal residence for a family of three. It was purchased for a “downsize” experiment and Design/Build opportunity to explore a different way of living on the smaller 50′ wide lots found in the central San Antonio neighborhood. Being frustrated with the zoning limitations imposed on the smaller single family lots of the area- as well as with clients attempting to overbuild to maximize homes for use and resale- the project started as a study to create an open, compact inviting home with comparable outdoor living spaces found on larger properties.

The 1200 s.f. one story existing home and property included mature oak trees and impressive 20′ tall bamboo trees. The original structure was a prototype for residential concrete construction by local builder H.B. Zachry prior to moving on to the downtown Riverwalk hotel- and was constructed of solid concrete interior walls and tilt wall concrete exterior panels.

As the shape of the existing home worked well for the public spaces-however requiring substantial demolition to its core exterior elements to create the open spaces, the Bedroom Addition followed with a careful connection to respect to the original homes scale and concrete character. Inset Rain screen “connectors” of Douglas fir were utilized to separate the new addition. All spaces were sized to respect the balance of use/need and to allow for a direct outside connection. Every inch of the home utilized for necessary space- including a home office desk in the transitional hallway and built in storage rather than dedicated closets.

For the outdoors, the zoning required rear detached Garage was utilized to frame the backyard in order to salvage yard space. The typical concrete driveway was replaced with large concrete “pavers” and drivable gravel to ground the pavilion addition. All of the required setbacks found a uses- including a dog run for the smaller sideyard setback. To increase the usability of the property, a roof top dining deck was created over the garage.