Edgeland House is about healing the
land and ameliorating the scars of the
site’s industrial past. The project raises
awareness about a diminishing natural
landscape and its finite resources
by creating a balance between the
surrounding industrial zone and the
natural river residing on the opposite side
of the site.
Both visually and functionally, Edgeland
House touches on architecture as
site-specific installation art and as an
extension of the landscape.
This project sets new standards for
sustainability while providing great
aesthetic qualities through its small
footprint and integrated mechanical
features.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
collaborated to reintroduce over 40
native species of plants and wildflowers
to the Edgeland House green roof
and site, serving to help protect the
local ecosystem.
Bercy Chen Studio LP is an architecture
& urban planning firm with design/
build capabilities based in Austin, Texas
founded in 2001 by partners Thomas
Bercy and Calvin Chen.
Bercy Chen Studio LP is committed to
collaborating with clients in identifying
design solutions and planning strategies
52
The two volumes
separate the public
living areas from the
private sleeping areas.
In order to get from
one area to the next,
you have to get out
into nature a deliberate move by
the architects to bring
awareness to the
waning natural
world and its
dwindling resources
Architect:
Bercy Chen Studio
Photographer: Paul Bardagjy
www.bcarc.com
THE ESSENTIAL COSTA DEL SOL WEBSITE - www.simplymedia-group.com
to create innovative designs based on
environmentally sustainable and financially
viable business models in both the public
and private sector. Having experience as
a design/build operation, the firm’s first
hand knowledge of construction & finance
is crucial in ensuring successful project
implementation. The firm is a member
of the City of Austin’s Green Building
Program and USGBC with certified 3
Star projects.
Thomas is from Belgium and Calvin is from
Taiwan by way of Australia; the partners’
European and Asian backgrounds
form a design philosophy of unique
perspectives. The work is influenced
by vernacular precedents from various
cultures- whether Islamic, Indian, African
or pre-columbian, while maintaining
respect for the particular contemporary
contextual conditions.
Due to this unique approach, the work
has received national and international
attention. Bercy Chen Studio won the
prestigious “Emerging Voices” prize from
the Architectural League of New York in
2006. Every year the League selects 7
of the most innovative designers from
Europe and North America for this award.
In the same year the firm was profiled in
Architectural Record’s December 2006
“Design Vanguard” award issue, selected
as one of top 10 emerging design firms in
the world.