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Temple Ranch

Duval County, TX

Located among the trees, scrub, and wildflowers in the rocky South Texas terrain, Temple Ranch was created as a seasonal hunting retreat for its owners. An open courtyard with a large swimming area takes advantage of the prevailing breezes of this region.
The Vision

The land, gentle sloping terrain, the natural air-conditioning offered by prevailing breezes from the southeast, and the ever-present Texas sun were the inspiration from the beginning of its design.

  • Interior Design

    London Boone Inc.

  • Landscape Architecture

    Co'Design, LLC

  • Structural Engineer

    Duffy Engineering, AEC Engineering

  • Builder

    J.E. Kingham Construction Co.

  • MEP Engineer

    EEA Engineering

  • Photographer

    Art Gray and Russell MacMasters

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Natural Context

Everything that exists in this environment is essential. Trees, scrub, and wildflowers have evolved to subsist on little water, as well as withstand a scorching brilliant sun and icy winds. However, as nature would have it, this environment is home to a bountiful population of native quail and deer that have been deemed some of the best in the Southwest.

Materiality

The ranch buildings were constructed of regionally made wood mold brick, straight grain southern yellow pine from East Texas, and is covered with monolithic zinc roofing panels.

Outdoor Rooms

Deep open porches appear carved out of the exterior brick volumes, revealing transparent walls that slide open to the rooms inside.

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Light travels well into the interior spaces of the house. The varying window arrangements allow the individual rooms to have even lighting levels throughout, despite their unique orientations.

Project Team
  • Arthur W. Andersson, FAIA

  • F. Christian Wise, AIA

  • Jesse Coleman

  • Leland Ulmer

  • Meegan Beddoe

Awards
  • Merit Award - American Society of Landscape Architecture - Temple Ranch

    American Society of Landscape Architecture

  • Leopold Conservation Award - Sand County Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Temple Ranch

    Sand County Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department