The client for the Ping Pong Residence approached the architects with a very specific—and very intriguing—brief: Design a three-story house with a garage and gym on the first level; game room (including the eponymous ping pong table) on the second floor; and a living room on the third floor connected to a suspended swimming pool. The home would be situated atop the limestone cliffs that rise dramatically from the southern bank of the Colorado River, with expansive views of downtown Austin.

The site itself proved challenging; the buildable area was relatively limited due to the steep grades and the need to preserve a heritage live oak tree. The previous home had burned to the ground; the existing stacked limestone fireplace was reused as an outdoor firepit, and the retaining walls were kept. In response, the house took shape as a compact cube, with volumes carved out to create a series of overhangs and viewpoints. The exterior palette was limited to three materials: stucco, travertine limestone, and wood—all locally-sourced. The pool itself is supported by a pair of muscular, V-shaped concrete columns. From inside, the columns frame landmarks such as the Capitol dome.

The driveway and lower level were partially burrowed into the site. On the second floor, the monumental live oak tree provided the focal point for the floor-to-ceiling windows that comprise the entry, which is accessed by a slender footbridge. On the upper level, the view toward the Austin skyline takes precedent, reflected in the surface of the negative-edge pool. The column-free living room features a five-panel sliding door that allows the space to open up completely to the deck. A deep overhang shades the east-facing pool deck, while vertical cedar louvers screen a row of west-facing windows. Perched on the northeast corner, the primary bedroom overlooks the Colorado River and city beyond. A rooftop solar array is sized to offset 100% of the home’s predicted annual energy usage.