Mason Residence
From day one, architect Justin Gesch set out to frame the river views within this home in Mason, Texas. Mason Residence, a two-volume residence that is quiet, humble and deeply attuned to the land, sits in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, along a peaceful stretch of the Llano River.
While this is the owners’ primary residence, they desired a program that could support both moments of reflection and hosting, as they frequently welcome friends and family. The plan is intentionally organised with generous communal rooms that contrast with more intimate zones. Because the Llano River is a public waterway, there is a constant movement of recreational users and fisherman just beyond the property line – making the balance of openness and privacy a defining design driver.
The long axis of the home, oriented east-west, allows the roof to act as a shading device, while clerestory windows and skylights bring daylight back to the perimeter. A river basin of sandstone that transitions to pink granite outcrops sets the stage. “The house is laid out in a series of gathering spaces,” with every room oriented to take in the view, Gesch notes. The home unfolds as two linear volumes: one glassy and light, the other grounded in masonry. The main house, transparent and expansive, frames the river with living, dining and kitchen spaces designed for togetherness, while the casita portion provides private suites for guests and family. Each suite has its own porch and views of the landscape beyond.
The home’s material palette includes native limestone, weathered steel and warm woods. These materials draw directly from the surroundings and the region’s heritage of time-honoured, hand-built structures. Each selection was made in conversation with the land, balancing permanence with softness. A custom live-edge mesquite vanity by Lou Quallenberg, a family friend and artisan, adds a personal detail that reflects the clients’ deep connection to storytelling.
From the exterior, the floating roof canopy reads as a protective gesture; from within, it becomes a calibrated light-filtering device. It hovers above indoor and outdoor spaces, lifting to reveal a continuous band of high windows that capture the changing Hill Country sky. The overhang extends well beyond the walls to shade the expansive porch, which mirrors the main living area and almost doubles the home’s usable space.
This porch is the heart of the home – a place to watch entertain, share meals and sit quietly with the river just beyond. It connects the architecture to its surroundings in a way that feels effortless yet deeply intentional.
Beyond its architectural gestures, Mason Residence tells a story of place and family. It is equally suited for a quiet morning as it is for a full weekend of guests.
Architecture and interior design by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture. Build by Lemburg House. Structural engineering by Backbeat Structural Design.
