Sandeul Breeze Residence, Austin home photos, Modern Texas real estate design, TX property pictures

Sandeul Breeze Residence in Austin, Texas

September 17, 2025

Architects: Dick Clark + Associates

Location: Austin, Texas, USA

Photos by Dror Baldinger AIA

Sandeul Breeze Residence, Texas, USA

The clients worked with Dick Clark + Associates to identify the best lot for the Sandeul Breeze Residence they envisioned in the Spanish Oaks golf course community southwest of Austin. With golf a big part of their lives, they loved the convenience of living in that community and wanted an open design that captures distant views and prevailing breezes. The site was chosen for its dramatic slope, which maximized that potential and provided opportunities to add personal touches and moments of fun in the design. The name Sandeul Breeze is a hybrid of Korean and English, originating with the Korean word: 산들바람 (pronounced sandeul-baram), which translates to “gentle, cool breeze.”

The clients emphasized their desire to be able to dine outside every day, and creating that usability and a comfortable sense of scale within the open plan was a priority. A patio off the kitchen and living areas takes in the sweeping views beyond the minimalist, patio and pool. The heavy use kitchen accommodates the clients’ cooking for frequent dinner parties, with indoor and outdoor seamlessly connected via flush sills that allow for easy movement and rolling of serving carts between the two. The backyard landscape below the patio along the slope is continuous and intentional, with a smaller detached sunken fire pit area a few steps down from the main level that provides a more intimate experience of the site and the house.

Architecture
The clients, both very discerning, wanted a clean, sophisticated design with minimalist interiors that accommodate well-curated pieces of flair and personality, often pieces they have acquired on their travels. The architecture is restrained, with a limited material palette that creates an edited simplicity that is both beautiful and intriguing. Venetian plaster works alongside warm lighting, textures, and materials that help soften the expansive interiors and modern lines. With no television in the living space, the entertainment room was designated as a space with heavy daily use. Green wallpaper creates a cozy atmosphere even as the room opens completely to the patio and the views beyond.

The fireplace is expressed in painted textured wood and adds a subtle focal point for the public area. The bright, clear-coated hemlock wood ceiling balances the polished marble floors. It extends to the exterior soffits, visible through bands of clerestories that introduce natural light and float the roof lightly above the structure. Garapa wood appears on the entry door, sparingly used both for effect and ease of maintenance and applied in with a comb texture to mirror the fireplace. Shell stone moves from the exterior to the interior along the entry facing wall. The unique pattern – a large block divided by much smaller blocks create subtle visual interest that still adheres to the refined character.

The architects gave great attention to sight lines and connecting corridors with plenty of glass around the main programs with two corridors to each side to create open pathways to bedrooms and the private realm. The main bedroom suite occupies one end, with seamless connection to the patio and views of the rolling hills. A wood vanity wall echoes the wood accents in the living spaces and obscures two pocket doors that open up completely to the light-filled bathroom.

Intentionality
DC+A also worked closely with the clients on selections for finishes, fixtures, and furniture; the clients taking a very hands-on role with guidance from the architects to create a completely custom interior.

Because the clients were attentive to light throughout the project, the entry sequence follows cascading stone steps from the driveway to the cantilevered front porch accentuated by lighting concealed underneath. That floating effect is repeated in lighting underneath the clerestories on the interior that illuminate the ceiling at night.

The pool, a four-sided waterfall edge, was one of several thoughtful client requests. The dark interior creates a dramatic glass-like surface that extends along the same plane as the patio and reflects the sky above. Likewise, the small wine room alongside the fireplace is a subtle but impactful gesture, with the right-sized atrium-like glass enclosure experienced from different vantage points in the house. Its restrained design creates a sculptural presence that is equal parts art and utility.

Were there any unique challenges faced during the design and construction of Sandeul Breeze, and how were they overcome?
Despite the numerous challenges faced during the construction phase that unfortunately coincided with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the clients maintained their vision and commitment to build their dream home.

How does the selected site influence the design and functionality of Sandeul Breeze?
The clients decided on the site due to its wide open views of the hill country, and noticing a calm, gentle breeze that inspired the name, Sandeul Breeze. “Sandeul (산들)” taken from the first half of the romanized Korean word, “산들바람,” which describes a calm, gentle breeze that is pleasant and refreshing. “바람” refers to the movement of air, or breeze.
With the clients we came up with a design ethos of maintaining the wide open views towards the Hill country with clean lines that not only took advantage of the views towards the rear deck, but how spaces in the home connected with one another.