Canada
USA
Japan
A Harmonious Union of Architecture and Nature
Amid the serene landscape of Austin, Texas, a modern residence gracefully rises among centuries-old live oak trees. Crafted with deep respect for its environment, the home appears to float above the ground, evoking a sense of quiet levitation. Rather than disturbing the protected grove, the design team embraced the site’s constraints—transforming potential limitations into defining features of the project.
At the helm of this architectural achievement is the husband-and-wife duo, Frank and Megan Lin of CoXist Studio, who collaborated closely with interior designer Ann Tucker of Studio A Group, builder Brent Fannin of FIA Homes, and landscape architect Brian Pearson of Pearson Design Studio.
Surrounded by heritage oaks, this Austin home was thoughtfully designed by husband-and-wife architecture team Frank and Megan Lin, with interiors curated by designer Ann Tucker. The front door pivots to reveal a bench from Dmitriy & Co and a painting by local artist Tyler Guinn.
Designing Within Nature’s Limits
Many prospective buyers were hesitant about building on a lot so densely populated with heritage oaks, protected by strict city ordinances. But the Lins saw an opportunity. “Designing this home within the trees was a powerful experience,” Megan Lin shares. “We weren’t just placing a structure—we were engaging with a living system.”
Since excavation and vertical expansion were restricted, the design required a meticulous approach. The team carefully mapped trunk diameters and established critical root zones, ensuring minimal disturbance to the ecosystem. Even the tree canopies—their wide-spreading arms—were considered in the planning process.
The solution? A network of elevated, pavilion-like structures encircling a courtyard and central pool. Each structure is lifted delicately off the earth, supported in a way that protects the root systems beneath. With an articulated roofline that curves around branches and organic edges, the home feels like a respectful guest nestled among ancient guardians.
On the deck just beyond the primary bedroom, the designer placed twin teak loungers from Boxhill. Outside the wife’s office is a seating area with playful pieces from Gart, upholstered with Sunbrella fabrics.
Where Indoor and Outdoor Living Converge
To strengthen the connection between inside and out, expansive glass doors span across much of the home’s perimeter. These panes dissolve the visual boundary between living spaces and the lush exterior, inviting nature inside. For moments of privacy, a custom-designed sliding screen can seamlessly sweep across the façade.
This flexible design element ensures privacy without compromising the open, airy feeling of the home. It’s a hallmark of thoughtful architecture—one that anticipates human needs while honoring environmental harmony.
The Roda outdoor dining table, from Scott + Cooner, bares a glazed-ceramic top in a dark green shade. The chairs, inspired by traditional Mexican equipal seats, were made by Moisés Hernández for Mexa and purchased at Meso Goods
Crafting a Textural and Emotional Interior
Inside, the design narrative continues. Natural materials used on the exterior—such as hemlock and slate—reappear indoors, maintaining consistency and grounding the space in its woodland setting. Most notably, slatted hemlock ceiling and wall panels provide depth and rhythm to the main living areas, giving the home a handcrafted ambiance.
A Native Trails tub anchors the primary bathroom paired with a filler and hand shower from Waterworks. Slate flooring from clé completes the scene.
“The contrast of rough and smooth, dark and light, creates a tactile richness,” Frank Lin explains. In the central living and kitchen area, the open layout allows for easy circulation, with a line of sight that extends from the interior to the pool. Yet, this openness is tempered by a double-sided fireplace, which serves as both a visual anchor and a subtle room divider. “Sometimes an open plan can feel too expansive,” says Megan. “This solution balances fluidity and intimacy.”
An oxidized-walnut table centers the dining room. The Pierre Jeanneret-style chairs are from 1stdibs, where the chandelier— a vintage piece by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos—was also sourced. The Zach Harris painting was found through Perrotin.
Thoughtful Furnishings Rooted in Time
Ann Tucker approached the interiors with equal care. “Our goal was to reflect the homeowners’ personalities while enhancing the architectural language,” she notes. Working alongside Anna Henry and Rebecca Brown, Tucker curated a blend of vintage and contemporary pieces to create a timeless, layered aesthetic.
In the dining room, a vintage oxidized-walnut table anchors the space beneath a sculptural chandelier by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (Flos), surrounded by Pierre Jeanneret-style chairs from 1stdibs. Nearby, a vivid painting by Zach Harris, sourced through Perrotin, brings bold contrast to the warm tones.
The living area is just as compelling, featuring a modular orange sofa from Nest Modern, a travertine-and-oak coffee table by Yucca Stuff, and vintage finds like a Torbjørn Afdal chair. A rust-hued rug from Armadillo warms the space, while artwork by Sidival Fila elevates the fireplace.
In the kitchen, slatted wood continues along one wall, framing bespoke details such as handmade tiles by Dunis Studios, premium Gaggenau appliances, and a sculptural Brizo faucet. Overhead, a brass pendant from Giffin Design glows softly, adding a touch of elegance.
Framed on one side by slatted hemlock, the kitchen features Gaggenau appliances and a backsplash of handmade tiles from Dunis Studios. A Brizo faucet sprouts from the island, above which Tucker added a brass pendant from Giffin Design.
Personalized Spaces for Work and Rest
The wife’s home office, housed in a detached casita, is a sanctuary of inspiration. It features a sculptural Vladimir Kagan sofa from Piecemeal Vintage, custom drapes made from Bruder fabric, and walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s “Card Room Green”. This separation from the main house fosters mental clarity and work-life balance—key in a post-pandemic world.
In the primary bedroom, a custom bed by EMC Interiors is upholstered in neutral tones, positioned against dramatic drapery and highlighted by a circular painting by Tahnee Lonsdale. It’s a serene space with views of the surrounding oaks, designed to soothe and restore.
The bathroom is equally luxurious, with slate flooring from clé, a freestanding Native Trails tub, and fixtures by Waterworks. Soft natural light filters through glass walls, while scattered greenery lends a spa-like tranquility.
Landscape as Quiet Poetry
For landscape designer Brian Pearson, the guiding principle was restraint. “The less designing we do, the less damage we cause,” he says. Instead of overhauling the land, Pearson preserved the native lawn and allowed the microclimate beneath the oaks to flourish naturally.
To complement the minimal intervention, he added native grasses, yuccas, and Hill Country river rock, offering texture without overshadowing the trees. “Everything here is subservient to the oaks,” Pearson asserts. It’s a statement of reverence—and one that defines the essence of this home.
A Home That Feels Like a Forest Retreat
Every inch of this home has been crafted with purpose and precision—from its hovering architectural presence to the emotional warmth of its interiors. “Scale and material were essential,” Megan Lin concludes. “We wanted the rooms to feel like you’re sitting in the forest. And in every corner, that connection is felt.”
This is more than just a house—it’s a testament to collaboration, environmental mindfulness, and enduring design. Surrounded by trees that have weathered centuries, it offers a quiet, contemporary response to modern living.
Credits
Architecture: Frank Lin & Megan Lin, CoXist Studio
Interior Design: Ann Tucker, Studio A Group
Home Builder: Brent Fannin, FIA Homes
Landscape Architecture: Brian Pearson, Pearson Design Studio
Photography: Chase Daniel
Brands and materials
| Room | Item | Brand/Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Room | Dining Table | Oxidized Walnut, Custom |
| Chairs | Pierre Jeanneret-style via 1stDibs | |
| Chandelier | Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos | |
| Artwork | Zach Harris via Perrotin | |
| Living Room | Sofa | Dellarobbia, via Nest Modern |
| Lounge Chair | Vintage Torbjørn Afdal, 1stDibs | |
| Coffee Table | Travertine and Oak, Yucca Stuff | |
| Floor Lamp | Santa & Cole | |
| Artwork | Sidival Fila | |
| Fireplace Finish | Plasterwork by Legend Stucco | |
| Rug | Armadillo | |
| Kitchen | Appliances | Gaggenau |
| Faucet | Brizo | |
| Pendant Light | Giffin Design | |
| Backsplash | Handmade tiles from Dunis Studios | |
| Office | Sofa | Vladimir Kagan via Piecemeal Vintage |
| Lighting | Lana Launay | |
| Rug | Les Editions de Tapis | |
| Drapery Fabric | Bruder via Plush Fabric Home Interiors | |
| Wall Paint | Farrow & Ball, Card Room Green | |
| Primary Bedroom | Bed | Custom by EMC Interiors |
| Drapery | Bruder from Supply Showroom | |
| Painting | Tahnee Lonsdale | |
| Bathroom | Tub | Native Trails |
| Fixtures | Waterworks | |
| Flooring | Slate from clé | |
| Outdoor Deck | Dining Table | Roda, via Scott + Cooner |
| Outdoor Chairs | Moisés Hernández for Mexa via Meso Goods | |
| Pool Loungers | Boxhill | |
| Casual Seating | Gart with Sunbrella Fabric |
ARRIVALS
NEW ARRIVALS
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
REACH US FOR ANY QUESTIONS
Capitol Lighting
Foundry Lighting
Freedman's Office Furniture
Areas served: Miami and nearby areas
Hours: Closes 5 pm
Phone: +1 561-559-5144
