Miro Rivera Architects

The Rocky River Residence was conceived as an “upside down” house, with the main living areas situated on the upper level in order to capitalize on the site’s spectacular views of the downtown Austin skyline. The arrangement creates the feeling of living among the canopies of the surrounding native oak trees. Paul Finkel | Piston Design Paul Finkel | Piston Design From the street, the home looks like a typical single-story residence—an illusion created by building up the landscape into a gently-sloping berm. The exterior is clad in a rainscreen of fiber-cement panels; the base is wrapped in roughback limestone. Private spaces facing the street are screened by vertical aluminum louvers, which double as sola... More

Residence 104 is located on a wedge-shaped site that opens to sweeping views of a canyon, Lake Austin, and the Hill Country beyond. The architects faced a challenge common among projects located on sharply sloping lots with commanding views: capturing views from the house while maximizing the amount of outdoor space on the site. The design responds to this challenge in two ways. First, the house is laid out as an arc along the sharp fall of the terrain, high enough that the fill in front of the house creates a substantial level area.  Accordingly—and in a reversal of the typical American suburban house—the front yard accommodates many family activities such as playing, gathering, entertaining, and cooking. Second, the pro... More

Conceived as a prototype for a sustainable rural community, the Hill Country House serves as a beacon to show what could be: a self-sustaining home in a rural setting, virtually independent of municipal water and energy. Situated on a sweeping Texas Hill Country meadow, this private residence is defined by a series of jagged roof peaks inspired by the rise and fall of the surrounding hills. Lovingly referred to as “The Sanctuary” by its owners, an active couple of ordained ministers, and executed on a very modest budget, this modern take on the farmhouse vernacular is a place to bring people together and find spiritual renewal in a responsible, sustainable setting. The exterior of the home is defined by clean lines, a sculptural gable... More

Located on one of the few lots in Dallas elevated enough to enjoy a view of the downtown skyline, the five-story Vertical House rises dramatically above the treetops to capture views of the surrounding gardens and the skyline beyond. Characterized by clean lines, sheer glass walls, and sculptural sun shades, this sharply-detailed house offers an intriguing counterpoint to the tropical ambiance of its forest-like setting. The client, an avid collector of exotic plants, wanted a house that would not only maximize views of the site, but also maintain privacy from neighboring properties. In response, the house was conceived as two interlocking, contrasting volumes: one half is transparent and oriented toward views of the... More