Built around a courtyard in a neighborhood of bungalows in Dallas, Texas, the Southwestern Residence offers privacy and an indoor/outdoor lifestyle for retired empty-nesters. Designed by smitharc architecture + interiors, the new modern home keeps to the low-slung scale of nearby cottages with its standing seam metal roof.

Clerestory windows run along the front roofline of the structure giving the appearance of a floating roof.

Despite being built with a lot of glass, the interior remains private thanks to the strategic positioning of the windows.

Around back, a large covered patio lives just off the open kitchen and living room spaces, perfect for joining the indoors with the outside.

A combination of Texas limestone, western red cedar, ipe wood decking, concrete pavers, insulated glass, and white oak flooring come together to create a relaxed and warm home, both inside and out.

Inside, neutral tones and light woods lean towards a classic yet minimalist aesthetic, while the large expanses of glass frame various views of the surrounding green landscape.

The backyard courtyard is wrapped around on three sides by the house to create a private oasis for the homeowners.

Photos by Stephen Karlisch Photography.

Caroline Williamson is Editorial Director of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

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