Houston's Tripartite House | Q&A w/ Rame & Russell Hruska, Intexture Architects -

Husband-and-wife team Rame and Russell Hruska have created a modern oasis in the heart Houston’s Museum Park neighborhood. On two adjacent properties, using contemporary materials and elements of sustainability, they’ve built their personal three-story residence – Tripartite House – and their architecture studio – Live Work Studio.

The upcoming Houston MA+DS Modern Home tour (September 24) will open the doors to the award-winning Tripartite House, so named for its major design conceit: three stacked layers that divide the public and private realms into a strata of functional zones. We spoke with the Hruska’s, co-founders of Intexture Architects, about their home.

Q&A w/ Rame & Russell Hruska, Intexture Architects

This is your personal home, which you designed as well. What were your major priorities and values when you set out to design it?

We set out to achieve a livable home for our family that also expressed our ideals. Sustainability was an important factor along with well designed spaces that allow us to functionality while maintaining a clean minimal aesthetic.

An entry bridge directs guests across the Koi pond and raingarden at the front door. Water flows off the roof through the circular opening in the overhang falling into the pond where it circulates to the larger underground rainwater harvesting system. | Photo: Rame Hruska

Great Room: Moroso Lowland Sofa by Patricia Urquiola upholstered in Kvadrat fabric,Vitra slow chairs and ottoman by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Foscarini Twiggy floor lamp, Handmade Wool shag Nest rug by DWR, Custom Fireplace with sustainable Ecosmart Bioethanol linear fire element | Photo: Rame Hruska — Great Room: Moroso Lowland Sofa by Patricia Urquiola upholstered in Kvadrat fabric,Vitra slow chairs and ottoman by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Foscarini Twiggy floor lamp, Handmade Wool shag Nest rug by DWR, Custom Fireplace with sustainable Ecosmart Bioethanol linear fire element. | Photo: Rame Hruska

You’ve called this home a “Tripartite House.” Can you explain what this means, and why did you decided to design it in this way?

The homes designed in three parts: outward, inward, and upward. The first floor is open and transparent engaging the street, the landscape and reaching outward. The second floor is inward focused to private spaces while the third floor encompasses and upward view to the sky and city views.

Cast in place concrete walls serve as structure while bringing a richness in materiality and texture to the space opposite the expanses of storefront glass. Entry: the entry connects to the central circulation spine of the home. Front door Oikos synua pivot, flooring microcementos concrete finish | Photo: Rame Hruska — Cast in place concrete walls serve as structure while bringing a richness in materiality and texture to the space opposite the expanses of storefront glass. Entry: the entry connects to the central circulation spine of the home. Front door Oikos synua pivot, flooring microcementos concrete finish. | Photo: Rame Hruska

How does this home respond to its site and the surrounding neighborhood?

We have thoughtfully designed the scale of the home with first floor volume at the front to address the street and located the higher volume to the back of the property. Instead of fences we embrace the neighborhood with landscaping and green space place designed to create a welcoming gesture.

tripartite7 — Poggenpohl millwork provides the highest quality cabinetry and luxury features such as motorized uppers and backsplash while reducing jobsite waste. Kitchen: Millwork by Poggenpohl in natural ash veneer, matt lacquer and satin mirror finishes, aluminum backsplash by Poggenpohl, countertop caesarstone pure white, and Il Casone stone, Thermador appliances, Hansgrohe fixtures. | Photo: Rame Hruska

This home is next door to your Live Work Studio for for your firm, Intexture. How do these two structures play off each other?

Each use similar materials in a different way, the two structures also face each other in constant dialogue.

Duravit products like the Darling New tub give the master bath a feeling of sanctuary. The back to wall design adds the spacious feeling of a freestanding bath while maintaining an efficient footprint. Hansgrohe Axor Faucetry adds designer luxury with sustainable performance. | Photo: Rame Hruska

What are some design elements that tour-goers should be sure to keep an eye out for?

Some unique elements to watch for include sustainable features such as the rainwater harvesting and biofiltration, motorized kitchen cabinets, hidden appliance garage and clever storage solutions.