The River Hills Residence is a lakeside retreat that overlooks a sweeping lawn shaded by towering native pecan and bald cypress trees. A path from the main house leads to a swimming pool, guest house, and boat dock whose design captures the laid-back ethos of Austin.

The weathering steel exterior of the main house carries over to the 1,300-square-foot guest cabin, which was conceived as a carved volume whose motorized sliding glass walls invite the lake environment inside at the press of a button. Chosen for their durability, polished concrete floors accentuate the continuity from interior to exterior. The ceiling and soffits are clad in reclaimed long-leaf pine. A wine cellar separates the open kitchen, dining, and living space from the private bedroom and full bath. A small powder bath is accessible from the outdoor space, as well as an outdoor rinse shower that cascades from a narrow slit in one of the weathering steel panels.

Shaded by a native pecan tree, the outdoor kitchen features an island with built-in appliances in front of a grilling suite that features a custom smoker designed by a local chef. The multiple cooking options create a gathering space for the outdoor patio as well as a space from which to entertain.

From the cabin, a path leads to a weathering steel boat dock floating in the shallow waters of Lake Austin. Coming to a point at the water’s surface, the triangular frames that support the decks and roof create the sensation that the dock is balanced “just so.” Viewed from farther inland, the slender columns almost disappear, and the dock appears as a series of floating planes. At the upper level, the deck and roof frame the wooded cliffs across the lake while catching breezes and providing shade.