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n the scrubby, rolling landscape of the Texas Hill Country, along Highway 41 in Kerr and Real counties, lies a small strip of land known as The Divide. Here, on the Edwards Plateau, the watershed drains north to the Llano River, east to the Frio River, and west to the Nueces River. In the 1880s, settlers staked their claims on this land, and once windmills and barbed wire arrived, the region became home to cattle ranches and other agricultural enterprises long the lore of Texas history. The Dietert Ranch is among the handful of large, successful family ranches that were established during the late 19th century and later subdivided among family members. This parcel, a 5,000-acre ranch located between Junction, Leakey, and Rocksprings, provides a weekend and vacation retreat for a family now based in Midland. When the owners approached Mark Wellen, FAIA, of Rhotenberry Wellen Architects to design a ranch retreat, they knew they wouldn’t be getting a standard-issue traditional ranch house. Wellen has long explored agricultural and indus-
A meandering approach from the main highway offers glimpses from a distance, giving sly hints of the building, which sits in a natural clearing. trial references in his work, and this was a perfect opportunity to continue those investigations. “I have a continuing appreciation for the inherent elegance and potential held by pre-engineered metal structures,” said Wellen. “This project was an opportunity to interpret that building typology while fully engaging nature and developing a dialogue with the landscape.” The topography lacks any dramatic features and is interrupted only by motts of oak trees on the gentle hills. The owner’s only stipulation was that the house have a second floor to provide long views through and above the tree canopy. In this context, the house itself becomes an object in the landscape. A meandering approach from the main highway offers glimpses
3/4 2014
Texas Architect 63