Sunday Escape - Boathouse by Andersson-Wise

To relax in front of a tranquil lake, maybe as the sun is setting, the sky turns red and a light breeze rises. Is not that beautiful?

Surely this must be one of the favorite activities of Martin, the family who owns the Boat House on the shores of Lake Austin in Texas designed by Andersson-Wise Architects.

It is a rectangular structure made of a single steel frame, then covered in darkened wood, transported to the barge site and then anchored to a rock in the lake. In fact, the boathouse can be reached only by the water or through a half-mile-long path along a forested hill and over a wooden and metal footbridge.

Designed for the double function of storage and relax space, the building extends to two floors.

The lower part contains a sliding basin and a boat storage; while the upper part houses a living room and a grill area. Full-height openings give the possibility to dive directly into the water and convey fresh air coming from the lake.

As its architects explain

"The boathouse provides a respite from the exhaustions of heat and the exertion of swimming, but it constantly reminds occupants of their proximity".