Furman & Keil Architects design floating timber structure in Texas
A resilient dockside structure blending eco-friendly design with minimal impact on sensitive wetlands, in Austin, Texas.
- Project: Roost
- Location: Austin, Texas,
- United States
- Architects:
- Furman & Keil Architects
- Typology:
- Residential Architecture
- Area: 928f²
- Images credit: Leonid Furmansky
Across the water from a nature preserve, this 928-square-foot project sits just minutes from downtown Austin. Tucked at the bottom of a bluff, fifty feet below the neighborhood above, it is hidden among large trees along a quiet waterway navigable only by canoe or kayak. Reaching the site means descending a long staircase through a stone grotto into a wetland habitat.
The structure was designed as an elevated platform, allowing the owners to live within nature while floating above the water. From here, they enjoy views of the trees and slough. A screened porch offers a sheltered spot for lounging and birdwatching, while the space below doubles as a boat launch and shoreline access. Importantly, the project expands the owners’ living area without adding conditioned square footage.
The site posed challenges: it is an environmentally sensitive wetland, difficult to access by boat or the narrow stairway. To protect the ecosystem, the design team raised the living spaces to a second level and connected them by bridge, reducing ground-level disturbance while creating a perch to observe local wildlife. Owls now use the structure as a roost while hunting along the water’s edge.
Durability was also critical. The previous structure here had flooded, a common issue along the slough during heavy rains. The new design needed to withstand flooding, minimize environmental impact, and harmonize with the landscape. To achieve this, the team reused the existing steel piers, extending them to support a new wooden framework.
Materials were chosen for resilience and lightness, helping the structure blend into its surroundings. Everything had to be delivered by barge, underscoring the need for durable and efficient construction. The small footprint of the lower deck allows native plants to return and restores the site’s natural hydrology, turning a fragile wetland into a balanced, sustainable setting.
FKA design team
Troy Miller, Principal
Philip Keil, Principal
Gary Furman, Principal
Maanasa Nathan, Project Manager
Dawson Williams, Project Manager
Project Team
Architecture: Furman &KeilArchitects
Contractor: CrowellBuilders
Landscape: Word + Carr Design Group
Permit Consultant: Rick Rasberry of Lake Austin Boat Dock & Shoreline Permits
Structural Engineer: Duffy Engineering
Lighting: Studio Lumina
Photography
Leonid Furmansky
Brands / Products
1. Ceiling Fans: Modern Fan. Co.
2. Cladding/Decking: Ipe
3. Flooring/Roofing: Douglas fir
4. Door Hardware: Baldwin
5. Lighting Control: Lutron
6. Paints/Stains: Benjamin Moore Arbor Coat, Sherwin-Williams
7. Pavers: Lueders limestone
8. Refrigerator: Summit
