Shelter in place has us focused on the characteristics of a home that makes us happy. What makes us happy in a home has not changed, but since we are spending more time in a home than ever, we are focused on what makes us happy in a home. Neighborhoods become more important during shelter in place. Here is a home that exudes the elements of a home we enjoy when we shelter in place. Architect Max Levy designed this home that is immersed in nature, enjoys the shared greenways of the neighborhood, and is surrounded by vibrancy.
Shelter in Place Modern Home Immersed in Nature and Greenways
It is wonderful to think about a home that is immersed in nature and the greenways of Greenway Parks. It is even more fun to think about this home that is also designed around a second story freestanding screened room surrounded by nature.
The physical transition from being inside the home and then going outside before you re-enter a separate freestanding room provides a personal transition as well. Just as this Greenway Parks home is a lovely retreat from the chaos of city life, a second story room nestled in the treetops with a separate entrance from outside provides another layer of harmony and nature.
Connected Compound
And maybe the most interesting, this room maintains its visual sightlines through the veil of nature along with almost every other room of the home. Here, one becomes removed from the family and even more connected to the family when one is working or relaxing in this center of the home.
Hide in Plain Sight During Shelter In Place
In this home one can even hide in plain sight. In the second floor bedroom hall, there is a full-length window ledge that allows one to fully recline when one wants to read a book or study away from any distraction.
Private and Public Spaces are Visually Connected
Architect Max Levy displays his brilliance in every home he designs. In this modern home Max accentuates the push and pull of private and public spaces—the delightful dynamic of open shared space and an easy departure to a desired private space. Yet all of these spaces are remarkably visually connected.
Sunlight Connects the Home Throughout the Day
The family living spaces maintain a visual connection to individual spaces across the courtyard. 
Bedrooms on both the first and second floors have sight lines into the family living areas across the courtyard. 
Gallery hallway lined with windows creates a dramatic link to wings of the home. 
In a large open space, intimate and separate settings are created in this modern home.
The large public spaces have windows on three sides, allowing sunlight to enter the room throughout the day. Wings of the home are connected by a wide horizontal hall where even an embassy would be proud to entertain. The main rooms of the home are separated by the courtyard which provides each room more intimacy, but simultaneously provides more visual connection with others in the home. There are even diagonal connections between different floors of the home. From a second floor bedroom one is able to look across the courtyard into the glass-walled kitchen on the first floor.
Visual Connections Between Floors
Separated and centered in home. 
Bedroom views of public spaces. 
Screened porch centered in home enjoying nature.
The effect is similar to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed theater center renovation of architects Diller Scofidio+Renfro, who have done connected rooms in commercial spaces one half-floor apart that visually connects activities between floors without feeling obtrusive.
Architecturally Significant Home Conveys Precision and Warmth
The design of this Max Levy, FAIA, home conveys modern precision and timeless warmth. The materials selected for the interior and exterior are indigenous to Texas and Greenway Parks. The architect’s design of the home draws from and is part of the community yet distinct from the community.
Shared Greenways of Greenway Parks
In this home one enjoys the shared greenways of the neighborhood along with being on the protected edge of the neighborhood.
The Greenway Parks neighborhood has private security. The security of this Max Levy-designed house is further bolstered by two backs of homes and the impenetrable Tollway wall located above the sunken Tollway at the other end of the neighborhood. A 1/3 acre of land allows for a swimming pool. The overriding element of the home is nature which permeates it. This home is a triumph in precision, warmth and design that promotes humanity.
Immersed in Nature During Shelter in Place
What a wonderful home to shelter in place.
As Seen on Top 5 Inspired Homes to Shelter in Place, Fall 2020
Every one of these top five homes is a different style, era, and neighborhood, but share the characteristics of being immersed in nature and surrounded by vibrancy.
