Michael Hsu Office Of Architecture has designed a family home in Mason, Texas, set on land that carries decades of personal history. Rather than starting with a blank slate, the project grows from an old family campsite, turning memories of time spent outdoors into the foundation of a permanent retreat.
The house sits on a remote stretch of the Llano River, where access alone shapes the experience of arriving. Reached only by crossing low water, the site rises to the top of a hill that overlooks the river below. From this elevated position, the home feels both protected and open, connected to the landscape while remaining deliberately removed from everyday life.
Material choices were guided by the surrounding environment and the desire for the house to feel rooted in its setting. Locally sourced limestone forms a strong base, paired with warm Douglas fir structural wood and deep, textured Shou Sugi Ban siding. Together, these elements create a palette that feels rustic yet refined, with finishes that transition seamlessly from exterior to interior.
At the heart of the home is a relaxed living room designed as a central gathering space. Expansive windows frame uninterrupted views of the landscape, drawing the river and hills into daily life. These openings extend directly to outdoor entertaining areas, blurring the boundary between inside and out and reinforcing the home’s relationship with its surroundings.
Throughout the interior, furniture selections reflect the family’s desire for comfort and ease. Pieces are chosen not to compete with the architecture, but to support a lived in atmosphere and strengthen the connection to the natural environment beyond the glass.
One of the most striking features of the home is the staircase, where the raw strength of steel becomes a sculptural focal point. Completely self supporting, it anchors the interior both visually and structurally. Steel continues to appear in the custom fireplace and even in the detailing of the kitchen cabinetry, balanced carefully by warm woods, white walls and concrete floors that soften its industrial presence.
By building on an old campsite, this Texas river house turns childhood memories into architecture, creating a home that feels grounded, enduring and quietly expressive of its place.