Located in Austin, Texas, the Retama House is a captivating residential project designed by A Parallel Architecture in 2021. This single-family home masterfully integrates with a magnificent split-trunk live oak, leveraging its long limbs and lush canopy for shade, privacy, and a harmonious connection to the surrounding landscape. The architecture’s rigorously compact shape belies a surprisingly generous interior experience, with a double-height central atrium that reflects the presence of the tree and offers tree-house-like views.

About Retama House
An Architectural Oasis Embracing Nature
Nestled in the heart of Austin, Texas, the Retama House stands as a testament to the harmonious synthesis of architecture and the natural world. Designed by the visionary team at A Parallel Architecture, this captivating residence emerges as a carefully crafted intervention that seamlessly integrates with the site’s centerpiece – a magnificent split-trunk live oak that has stood guard for decades. Embracing the Tree’s Graceful Presence
Overcoming the challenges posed by the tree’s delicate root system, the architects have skillfully incorporated its long limbs and lush canopy into the architectural design. The result is a rigorously compact shape that belies a surprisingly generous interior experience, all while maintaining a strong connection to the landscape.
A Harmonious Dance of Light and Shade
The double-height central atrium at the h...