One lesson Israel Pena learned soon after graduating from architecture school is that builders don’t always follow the architect’s plans. Sometimes the details he believed would make a project sing simply didn’t get built. That’s no longer a concern now that he builds most of the custom homes he designs.
Pena has become fluent in manipulating the materials and forms that fit so comfortably with the local terrain, weather, and history, and his company is known for creating houses with an authentic Texas Hill Country look. He estimates three-quarters of the houses he designs and builds have the rough limestone skin, metal root, and wood-floored porch that are hallmarks of this vernacular style.
But siting is as important as style to Pena. The San Antonio region has some of the prettiest geography in the state, “so we put a lot of emphasis on taking advantage of views,” he says. Before designing, he walks each site with the clients to discuss how their home might relate to the topography, natural vegetation views, and any unique characteristics of the lot.
Although he’s trained as an architect, Pena considers himself a builder first. “I like the entrepreneurial aspect of building,” he explains. He also believes that being able to offer both disciplines creates synergy between his separate building and design companies and gives him a hedge against downturns in the housing market.
