Port Bolivar Beach House
Situated above the shoreline in a Gulf Coast community, this elevated beach house offers a restful retreat shaped by light, breeze, and expansive views. Drawing from the local tradition of stilt-frame wood construction, the design lifts the main living level to capture sun, breeze, and shade throughout the day while providing shelter below. Inside, vaulted ceilings create an airy sense of volume, a bright sun room frames the shifting coastal light, and a cozy loft offers an intimate perch for reading or watching the water. Warm materials and simple forms make the home both timeless and deeply connected to its place.
Location
Port Bolivar, Texas
Design Team
Kevin Barden and Joe Rivers
Typology
Residential
Date
2020-2021
Process
Explore
West Texas Retreat
Alpine, Texas
Residential
Set against the rugged backdrop of West Texas, this renovation transforms a simple home into a serene retreat immersed in mountain and sky. Expansive glazing captures shifting light and distant peaks, while covered outdoor spaces invite connection to the land’s quiet rhythms.
Mike Garman
Furniture Designer
Art and Design
In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Mike Garman, a furniture designer and maker from Houston, Texas. Mike has been designing and building furniture in the Houston area for nearly a decade. Joe and Kevin sat down with Mike to discuss his path to designing furniture, his use of tools, and his unique process to design.
Annual Holiday Cards
Rivers Barden Architects
Competitions
Every winter Rivers Barden Architects takes time to draw, sketch, and/or model a Holiday Card image to send to family, friends, clients, and colleagues. Seen here is a collection of these in one place.