Kessler Woods
Photo at left by Jason Franzen, ©2008 Buchanan Architecture; photo at right by James F. Wilson courtesy Talley Associates
Oak Cliff was one of Dallas’ first exclusive enclaves for the elite. Set on the bluffs southwest of downtown and above the swampy Trinity River, it features the most stunning topography of any neighborhood in the city. The site of the Kessler Woods development embodies these qualities—hillside homes, some with downtown views, a meandering creek, and mature trees. Coy Talley, ASLA, of Talley Associates led the planning effort and the result is a picturesque arrangement of 30 lots that is extremely sensitive to the land. The street preserves the creek and the large sheltering trees by gracefully curving through the site while creating interesting juxtapositions between the homes, all of which are intended to be fenceless. Individual lots are graded as minimally as possible, leaving sloping sites that encourage dynamic split-level solutions. Site walls and street island parks are constructed of split Lueders limestone, further accentuating the informal yet tailored feel. The initial two phases of Kessler Woods comprise 30 lots of 7,500 square feet to one-half acre, with homes ranging between 2,800 and 5,000 square feet. The initial design guidelines were developed by Patrick Hammers of Hammers + Partners: Architecture Inc. and Clifford Welch, AIA, of Welch Architecture. The guidelines explicitly referenced the use of materials extent in the area, and this is reflected in the three homes that sit on Oak Cliff Boulevard outside the gates of the primary entry, which, while conspicuous in their contemporary detailing and massing, still respect the scale and setbacks of the adjacent houses. While not “Mad Men” retro, there is an unmistakable midcentury Modern sensibility to the development, particularly in the first-phase residences. These were primarily the work of the two aforementioned firms, with a notable exception being a graceful design by Frank Welch, FAIA. The homes in Kessler Woods display a casual exuberance, with generous use of glazing, horizontal massing, sheltering low roof forms, and carports often used in lieu of garages. The materials palette is warm and rich and includes zinc and oxidized steel panels, composite wood siding, dark brick, and ashlar stone. The individual homes gracefully co-exist and overlap without imposing, windows carefully placed to gather light and views while respecting each other’s privacy. In general the caliber of architecture is exemplary and many of the individual homes would elevate any neighborhood in the city.
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(left) The Sunrise House by Buchanan Architecture, described by the architect as a “rusty box,” shows the result of a loosening of the design guidelines for the second phase of Kessler Woods. (below) At the rear of the Sunrise House is the parkway edge, defined by slabs of Lueders limestone, with naturalized landscapes of native grasses, carpet roses, vitex, cedar elms, and oaks. In the plan below, the first phase is shown on the left.
Kessler Woods Phase one and Two
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