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In Houston’s Timbergrove neighborhood, this renovation transforms a traditional layout into an open, light-filled home designed for entertaining. Walls between kitchen, living, and dining areas were removed to create seamless flow, with custom millwork adding warmth, storage, and subtle definition to each space. Large windows frame garden views and invite daylight deep into the home, blurring the boundary between indoors and outdoors. The result is a welcoming setting where gatherings feel both lively and connected, and the home adapts effortlessly from quiet mornings to vibrant evenings.

Location

Houston, Texas

Design Team

Kevin Barden, Joe Rivers, and Esmer Leija

Renderings

Rivers Barden Architects

Typology

Residential

Date

2021-Present

Structural Engineer

Santee Engineering

General Contractor

Frich Investments

Process

Explore

Luv Shak 2.0

“I like to see weather changing. The flash and crash of lighting and thunder. I like the morning light before sunrise, the day sounds of life awakening. I like strong wind gusts. I like the sound of rope running through a tackle block.” (Client Manifesto excerpt)

Reema

Art and Design

Reema is an Artist and current MFA Candidate at the University of Houston in Interdisciplinary Practice and Emerging Forms focusing on Transmedia Storytelling. Joe and Kevin sat down with Reema to discuss her path to becoming a storyteller, how her transmedia approach shows up in her current project “Allyson Darke”, and her advice to budding creatives.

Principal Spotlight: Kevin Barden

Writing

Meet one of our Principals, Kevin Barden! With the larger vision and ethos in mind, Kevin constantly pursues the evolution of each project’s identity throughout its development. Kevin and his wife enjoy traveling near and far as well as playing with their young son and daughter around the house and at the park.