Extraordinary homes call for a profoundly considered approach; the kind of attention to detail that signals architectural importance and a nod to legacy – both past and future.
Material integrity is paramount on heritage projects– and examples don’t come much more spectacular than the breathtaking Sisterdale Farms; an historic Texas Hill Country settlement dating back to the 1840s, also known as the Von Behr Estate.
Located in Kendall County on a secluded 310-acre rural site just 10 miles north of Boerne, this elite residence traces its roots back to the mid 19th century, when the original homestead was built by German settler, Baron Ottomar Von Behr.
After the property changed hands in 2012, it underwent a lengthy construction and restoration process that transformed this historic property into a sprawling residence featuring an 11,302sq ft estate home and adjoining guest house – plus terraces, walled gardens, pool, horse stables and a cluster of restored original outbuildings.
We were honoured to work with nationally acclaimed architect, Don B. McDonald on the development of solid bronze windows and doors for use throughout this stunning property. Let’s take a closer look at its features, and how we worked together to develop a peerless fenestration outcome that masterfully unites old and new.
European influences
The overall style of the ranch represents a fusion of mid-19th century German architecture, with echoes of Romanesque arches and small, paired windows. Gothic vaulted roofs and quasi-medieval stonework are juxtaposed against more contemporary features like the Italianate loggias that flank the building, and the huge expanses of glazing on the ground floor, designed to drink in the 360-degree views and flood the interiors with natural light.
The materials for the building, meanwhile, are very much Texan; articulated Sisterdale Limestone work with taunt seams is paired against hardwood hand split shingles weathered to a silver-grey, echoing the region’s classic 19th century vernacular.
Set on top of a 150-ft hill, these features give the house an imposing presence – but also crucially help it to weather the frequent high winds and overall exposure of its commanding site, which boasts uninterrupted views across the 310-acre working farm and a section of the cypress-lined Guadalupe River.
A heritage project
Key to the success of the build was a glazing solution that would respect the heritage of the house while maximizing the vistas and ensuring the windows and doors would be enduringly beautiful despite the demands of such an exposed site.
The new owners expanded the footprint of the original homestead to include a full gourmet kitchen, laundry room and two full baths. Using skilled craftsmen, the house was taken down to the original paints, varnishes, stains, and flooring dating back to the late 1840s, including the barns surrounding the home – the idea being to unite old with new, making the upgraded building look as if it’s always been there.
For this reason, the integrity of any new materials added to the property was of paramount importance – chosen with a view to adding to its legacy. Solid bronze windows and doors from Renaissance Genuine Solid Bronze provided the perfect solution to all aspects of this complex design brief. We designed and supplied a wide range of exterior windows and doors, all in our blackened bronze patina – providing a balance of storied warmth and contemporary crispness that’s an ideal counterpoint to the pale gold of the limestone exterior walls and the pared-back, rustic interiors.
Blurred boundaries
For the stunning long bay loggias and the more functional rooms of the house, we provided a small-pane solution in keeping with the property’s historic roots, with genuine bronze muntin bars enabling us to achieve narrow sightlines – the result being internal spaces that feel intimate and characterful, but also flooded with natural light and displaying wonderful views over the surrounding landscape.
For the living areas, which boast astonishing, panoramic vistas of the grounds and rolling countryside beyond, the aim was to provide a barely-there solution that still honors the unique character of the property.
We did this with a large-pane glazing system featuring our custom designed and built frames complete with genuine muntin bars to frame the landscape without obstructing the views. The profile of these windows resonates deeply with the original period of the house – and with the use of natural bronze, their patina brings a sense of history and permanence.
Elsewhere on this project there was plenty of scope for more playful design, making the most of the idiosyncrasies that make this property so uniquely charming – such as the mushroom top door opening onto a secluded courtyard abundant with roses, or the circle top pivot doors that allow internal passageways to flow enchantingly into outdoor paths, blurring the lines between indoors and out.
Custom bronze manufacturing ensured the architect’s vision for preserving the character of the original house was honored in full, without compromising on performance.
Fine craftsmanship for distinguished homes
RGS windows and doors are hand crafted using only solid bronze extrusions, enabling them to withstand a lifetime of exposure to the elements with little or no maintenance required – the surface simply acquires more layers of authentic patina, becoming more unique and beautiful with each passing year.
Our products are supplied and installed as a complete system with glazing and hardware to achieve True Divided Light – each pane individually adjusted to minimize glare, ensuring uninterrupted enjoyment of the external landscape.hermally-broken frames, custom glazing and warm edge spacers facilitates 21st century efficiency in new and historic properties alike.
But for heritage, period and restoration projects, choosing bronze is about much more than performance or even aesthetics – it’s a statement of intent. Bronze puts your property in a different category, where material integrity, architectural significance and future legacy are intrinsic to the brief.
To find out more about this project, or to make an enquiry, simply get in touch.
