TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
owners, friends, and business colleagues alike to immerse themselves into the natural beauty of the site. The building utilizes locally acquired energy and materials to create an intimate relationship between the occupant and the environment. The local, volcanic stone, and the reclaimed, rhythmic Sinker Cypress that characterize the facade of the building unapologetically present the raw beauty of the natural materials, exhibiting the surrounding environment in the form of a new life.” Around every corner, the outdoors is brought in by way of expansive windows, inviting natural light to act as the home’s backdrop, along with reclaimed materials that stand out and make bold statements. However, it is the stone that is most notable according to Grable and it “is found in several forms throughout the building. The dry-stacked volcanic moss stone that characterizes the façade of the building was hand-harvested from the earth’s surface, following the tradition of ancient building techniques in crafting stone walls. Indigenous Hackett flagstone used as landscaping pavers, along with locally harvested Ouachita River gravel composing the road network, provides a direct psychological and physical connection to the outdoors through the experience of a stone promenade.” For these former Texas High Tigers, class of 1970, the path to this project has been a long one. Grable has been focused on architecture since he and Mike were 16 years old. “Mike has always followed John’s career,” said Caroline. “He always wanted John to design something for us, but I never dreamed it could happen. Being in San Antonio required John to make many trips to the job site in Hot Springs, where he would stay with my sister- and brother- in-law. We had many family dinners and late-night discussions about the project and their high school years together.” “That’s how Texarkana is; people there maintain close relationships with their friends and extended families,” said Grable. A mere 50 years later these long-time friends finally completed this beautiful project. Working with an architect was a new experience for both Mike and Caroline. Unsure what to expect, you can believe the couple was caught off guard when Grable
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2023 HOME EDITION
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