One of Visbeen Architects’ most distinctive designs, this private home evokes the picturesque villages of Tuscany. The spacious footprint is spread across multiple buildings. There are many fireplaces and chimneys, a formal garden, and a working vineyard. The central courtyard features a motor court and bell tower, reminiscent of an old Italian church and used as an observatory. Ludowici Roof Tile baked high-quality, authentic clay tiles in their kilns to cover the vast square footage of roofs on the home.

This three-year design-build project put Visbeen Architects on the map for residential architecture. The clients’ international collection of antiques and original artwork features in every room of the home, creating a unique design challenge. The firm imagined a unifying central corridor running through the structure to establish cohesion. This “structural spine” has been repeated in many Visbeen Architects projects, providing a straight line for HVAC, centrally-located supporting walls, and shortened floor joists.

Bridlewood is an exquisite estate in a lush oasis outside Houston, Texas. Grand gables and towering windows crown the crescent-shaped residence, making this compound incredibly private and stunning from every angle. The front elevation highlights a circle drive and arched porte cochere. The rear elevation’s garden sanctuary and covered, four-season escape make for year-round cooking and entertaining.