El Naranjal    •    207 E. 44th Street

Students at work on El Naranjal in 1983.
... And in 1992.
Photos © Eugene George

El Naranjal, the house at 44th and Avenue G—the name was inspired by a story of a lost Shangri-la—was once voted by the CHRONICLE as the best ongoing project in Austin. Underway since 1982, it will be close to completion by mid-June, 2006. Speed was never a priority but rather the priority was the architect's desire to involve his students in architecture and architectural engineering in a hands-on experience with construction. Each student received a wage and worked flexible hours to accommodate his or her academic schedule. Building professionals are now handling the final push to completion.

Daily for the last 20+ years, the interested or curious have asked, "What is it about this place that touches the spirit ?" It is all about harmonic proportional systems—the relationships of all parts to the whole. The house was also designed to respond to the romantic spirit of neighboring Formosa, Elisabet Ney's home and studio. In addition, El Naranjal incorporates lessons learned from a life-long study of the architecture of the Southwest and its relationship with nature—orientation to the southeast prevailing breezes and similar considerations. When asked what the house will look like, the architect Gene George replies that it will look like a garden.