When architect James Evans was approached by his clients about creating a lake house on their 26-acre site, they already had a vision. Following their inspiration from Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House, Evans designed a glassy home that seems to float above the quarry-fed lake.

The home is cleverly cantilevered above the lake and surrounded by forest. The floor plan includes an open living area, a library that could double as a second bedroom, and a master suite. Floor to ceiling window walls and sliding glass doors open directly to the view, the outdoor living area, and the water itself.

“The setting for this house is quite unique. There’s complete privacy, so it gave us the opportunity to create a house almost entirely of glass – approximately 65 percent of the exterior is glass,” said Evans.

The design of the home prioritized performance, taking into account the scorching Texas summers. Evans implemented an innovative geothermal system to cool the house with the quarry waters and carefully selected windows and doors to minimize heat gain. These energy-efficient choices contributed to lower ownership costs for the homeowners and a reduced environmental impact.

“When you have a site like this, you have the ability to really embrace the natural beauty and have a house that fits into the location and takes advantage of it. The glass, the windows and doors, make this project such a unique part of the landscape,” said Evans.

The outcome is a stunning glass pavilion, offering an immersive connection with nature, generous spaces for entertaining, and direct access to the lake and outdoor surroundings. It’s a testament to the harmonious blending of design and functionality.