Perched atop a dramatic hillside overlooking the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve, Lean On Me House embraces the steep topography of its site, using the natural grade as a guide rather than an obstacle. Rising over 50 feet from front to back, the home unfolds in a tiered, terraced design, its stacked volumes stepping gently down the landscape to maintain an intimate connection with the terrain.

The upper volume, clad in warm vertical cedar, rests lightly on the limestone-clad lower level, a material nod to the region’s natural geology. Expanses of glass frame sweeping views of the preserve, while deep overhangs and a custom wood screen provide relief from the Texas sun. At the highest level, the main bedroom offers west-facing vistas, filtered through a delicately designed screen that balances openness with shade.

At the heart of the home, a striking glass “belly” is carved into the transition between levels, housing a music room and meditation space. Custom windows—including an angled glass wall—flood this space with natural light, reinforcing the home’s permeability between indoors and out. With thoughtful sustainability features like solar panels and rainwater harvesting, as well as multiple outdoor living spaces—from a courtyard pool to a rooftop deck—this home is both a response to and a celebration of the land it inhabits.