TWIN PAVILIONS
Project Type: Residential
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Year: 2024
Size: 0.38 acres
This project reimagines a North San Antonio residence that lost its mature oak canopy to Oak Wilt, leaving the site exposed and the pool feeling adrift. While the client, originally from West Texas, values expansive skies, functional shade is essential for comfortable summer use.
Two carefully positioned cantilevered pavilions provide shade without overwhelming the site. One anchors an outdoor kitchen and lounge with a fireplace, and the other serves as a flexible, multi-use area. A separate outbuilding integrates a restroom, changing area, outdoor shower, and vegetable wash station, connecting seamlessly to the family garden.
The design reconnects the pool to its surroundings, while a reconfigured lawn defines space for active use and the family’s dogs. Transitional zones of native plantings, a vegetable garden, and fire pit areas add structure and texture with minimal maintenance.
Addressing drainage challenges, an existing sump is transformed into an artificial arroyo that redirects, filters, and absorbs stormwater naturally. Carefully placed cedar elms and honey mesquites restore shade and intimacy, evoking the presence of the lost oak canopy.
The project ultimately restores the spirit of the original oaks, creating a shaded, cohesive, and resilient outdoor environment that supports family life and long-term enjoyment.
