Guest House and Bridge

Located on a two-acre peninsula, the guesthouse is surrounded by a natural landscape that includes reed-covered wetlands, which serve as a migratory stop for egrets, cranes and swans. The development of the project utilized a meticulous analysis of the existing vegetation and wild life to implement a ten year plan that will eliminate invasive plants, reintroduce native plants, and restore and increase the existing wetlands.

The beauty of the natural surroundings informs many aspects of the project beginning with the access to the peninsula from the main house. The procession uses a light pedestrian bridge inspired by the reeds that surround the site. The bridge?s visual lightness is accomplished using bent steel rebar left unfinished to rust. This raw construction heightens the experience and gives a certain sense of adventure when entering into this more wild and natural world.

To limit its ecological impact, the guesthouse was conceived with a minimal footprint as a light vertical structure consisting of three floors. The ground floor with its kitchen, living and dining areas is completely open to a surrounding terrace separated only by floor to ceiling glass. This sweeping covered deck appears to float above natural grade with native grasses coming to its edge.

A glass box covered with shutters hovers above the first floor roof. It contains the master bedroom in the second level and two bedrooms in the third. The box is attached to a three-story volume that contains the stair, bathrooms and closets. This volume is defined by a ribbon-like edge that adjusts itself to the needs of the spaces inside.

The shutters have adjustable slats and can be fully folded up to accommodate varying light conditions. In addition, the shutters provide protection for the house when it is not occupied. The steel windows of the cube are fully operable to encourage a greater interaction with the natural environment.

In total, the guesthouse, a sure but respectful object in the landscape, affords its occupant an opportunity to reflect on the beauty of its surroundings.

With a design inspired in the reeds that cover the lake, this pedestrian bridge is a light structure integrated in its setting. The bars/reeds intertwine at the abutments and ?grow? over the bridge, camouflaging and turning it into a symbiotic, almost invisible link.

The arch structure spans 80? and is composed of 5? diameter pipes. The pipes support 1/2? diameter bars which become both decking and guardrails with a simple field bend. The irregular length and close spacing of the bars recall the reeds of the site.

To further integrate the bridge in its setting the steel is left unfinished, just like the rope handrail and the stone ramps.

In the last few years, Austin based Mir? Rivera Architects (MRA) has emerged as one of the leading new architectural voices in the United States, quietly creating a body of work that exemplifies design excellence and that has been recognized nationally and internationally with numerous awards including 15 American Institute of Architects design awards and the 2006 AR Emerging Architecture Award in London.

At MRA, architecture is understood as an endeavor where the realms of ideas, aesthetics and technology intersect. Aware of the role of the architect as a citizen- thinker- artist- builder, MRA aspires in every project to create responsible architecture that responds to its natural or urban context, addresses basic human needs, is beautifully crafted and has longevity and presence.

Juan Mir?, born in Barcelona, obtained his professional degree at the School of Architecture of the Universidad Polit?cnica of Madrid. He earned a Fulbright Scholarship to complete a Master of Architecture at Yale University. Juan is an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture of the University of Texas at Austin.

Miguel Rivera, born in Puerto Rico, obtained his Bachelor's degree from the School of Architecture of the University of Puerto Rico. He earned his Master of Architecture from Columbia University in New York City. In 2005 Miguel was awarded the AIA National Young American Architect Award.