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Perched on a rocky rise in the Texas Hill Country, the Walnut Springs Guest House offers a nature-immersed retreat for a city family. Two hand-crafted stone volumes anchor the home, framing shaded porches and a generous central gathering space while sheltering private rooms. The butterfly and hipped roofs channel breezes, capture shifting sunlight, and direct views to the surrounding oaks and hills. Blending rugged materials with refined detailing, the design creates a warm, inviting getaway that celebrates the rhythms of the land.

Location

Johnson City, Texas

Design Team

Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden

Typology

Residential

Date

2019-2021

Structural Engineer

Hill Country Structural

General Contractor

Phillips & Phillips Design Build

Process

Explore

HCU Moody Library Renovation

This renovation reimagines the library as a dynamic hub for learning, connection, and adaptability. As education and research shift away from traditional models, new service paradigms are emerging to meet the evolving needs of students and universities.

Josh Ryan

Art and Design

Josh Ryan is a designer and illustrator who specializes in bringing people together with quirky and humorous works. Joe and Kevin sat down with Josh to discuss his artistic development, one of his biggest successes, and the intersections of comedy and art.

Sicily Sketch Essay

Drawing and Photography

In the summer of 2008, Kevin visited Sicily for two weeks.  Traveling by train, car, and foot, various sites ranging in time, material, and typology around the island were observed, explored, and studied.  This sketch essay captures a handful of the moments and experiences from the trip.