Casa Stellina

The new modern house as a gallery is the premise behind a new courtyard residence in downtown Dallas. What was once a 1950s automotive service facility is now the epitome of modern luxury with elegant flowing spaces and a profusion of light providing a calm that contrasts with the chaos of the city. It has taken three and a half years to design and build the project.

Designed to be simple and sparing using contemporary materials like concrete, steel, copper, plastics and glass, the house conjures up a different notion of domestic life, comfortably allowing for both public and private living. The modern esthetic conforms to the lifestyle of its inhabitants, simultaneously accommodating different patterns of contemporary domesticity, work, solitude, interaction and relaxation. The 7,800 square foot house includes 3,000 square feet of offices, a 1,000 square foot garage/studio with an additional 9,000 square

feet of garden area.

The public spaces, which comprise private offices, living, dining, kitchen and lounge areas are located on the first floor along with the master bedroom in a play of single and double height volumes. On the second floor, a guest bedroom, media room, study and library maintain an uninterrupted view of the garden. Both the first and second floor offer expansive views of the

surrounding landscape.

A north entrance leads visitors into the courtyard revealing the house’s character as an oasis in the city. An urban retreat from the ceaseless activity of city life. House and garden share the same ideal. The sophisticated simplicity of the Japanese inspired garden with an extensive water feature is nothing more than a perfect greensward of buffalo grass. Although private and enclosed, the courtyard is both a formal garden and external living room.