Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

McClendon Residence by studioMET Architects

McClendon Residence by studioMET Architects

StudioMET Architects and Britt Design Group took notes from WELL Building Standards-and their physician client-to craft the breezy, functional McClendon Residence in Houston.

When thyroid cancer specialist Dr. Maria Cabanillas and her partner, Kris Griffith, were midway through constructing their new home in Houston’s Museum District, Maria came across a piece of research that floored her. "The study found that people with high levels of fire retardants in their homes-which are in everything from electronics to your sofa and bed-were over two times more likely to develop papillary thyroid cancer," she says.



Interior designer Laura Britt followed WELL Building Standards to source the home’s non-toxic furnishings and finishes, which include living room chairs and a sofa from Thayer Coggin that use flame retardant– and formaldehyde-free cushions.

Suddenly, Maria’s cancer treatment and prevention work became highly personal. "It really got me thinking about our own home and using materials that were environmentally friendly and wouldn’t be toxic to us," she explains.

Unsure where to start, Maria and Kris turned to Austin-based interior designer Laura Britt of Britt Design Group, who specializes in creating health-first spaces that are guided by WELL Building Standards. "It was wonderful working with a client who was so well informed," Britt says. "Usually I’m educating clients, but Maria was sending me articles about these chemicals. Having struggled with upper respiratory issues myself, I’ve learned there is a true link between what we are inhaling in our homes and how our [bodies are] processing those toxins."



The open-concept living areas offer ample space for the close-knit family to gather and entertain. In the dining room, a Design Within Reach table can expand or contract to accommodate various group sizes. The leather chairs were carefully sourced to avoid heavy metal dyes, and the overhead pendant by Nuvo utilizes energy-efficient LEDs.

With a primary focus on indoor air quality, Britt worked alongside the owners to select furnishings that would lighten the home’s toxic load as much as possible, while also complementing the couple’s laid-back, modern style and their love for outdoor living.

Throughout the 3,635-square-foot residence, the interior palette introduces pops of rich color against a neutral, earthy backdrop. Britt took decor inspiration from the couple’s eclectic art collection-much of which Maria sourced from her native Puerto Rico. In the living room, a colorful painting by Jorge Acevedo depicts a mangrove, which is a common coastal vegetation in the tropic and subtropic regions.



A reading nook near the kitchen offers a quiet space to take in verdant garden views. Architect Stephen Andrews constructed the accent wall using salvaged shiplap from the 1930s, while Britt crafted a custom cushion that contains minimal fire retardants, which are carcinogenic.

To further realize the owners’ overall goal for the McClendon Residence, Britt utilized formaldehyde-free finishes and glues, as well as low-VOC paints, which contain reduced amounts of volatile organic compounds. "Our priority was to avoid the most harmful toxic elements," Britt explains. The interior designer’s wellness-focused approach also prioritized the home’s natural ventilation, which was already a central aspect of its design, thanks to StudioMET architect Stephen Andrews.



Low-VOC finishes on the walnut cabinets help improve the home’s indoor air quality. "Our suggestion is always to use water-based rather than oil-based or petroleum finishes," Britt says. Quartz countertops and a ceramic-tile backsplash continue the focus on natural materials.

On the south end of the home, three sets of floor-to-ceiling glass sliders face an outdoor area with raised vegetable gardens and a detached shack–turned–home brewery, which Maria and Kris lovingly refer to as "BrewShedda." The sliding doors open directly to a covered deck, which extends the livable areas in the home during temperate weather. "We’re big into the outdoors and gardening, and we wanted our home to be in symbiosis with nature," says Kris.



"The seamless connection between the interior living spaces and the covered patio blurs the divide between indoors and outdoors," says Britt. The pine deck includes an area for al fresco dining around a concrete table by West Elm with metal chairs by Four Hands.

However, after living through multiple hurricanes, floods, and power outages over the years, the couple desired a safe haven for their family. (Maria and Kris have three children who live with them part-time.) "Rather than a museum house, we wanted a functional home that would be a refuge during horrible weather," says Maria.

"From the very beginning, sustainability and resiliency were important to Maria and Kris because Houston is prone to natural disasters," adds Andrews. So, the architect focused on these specific aspects throughout the 2019 construction.



At the McClendon Residence’s entrance, ipe wood siding and soffits contrast with light concrete-block walls. "We used natural materials and colors for a modern aesthetic that would fit in with the neighborhood," explains Andrews. "As you approach, the house is subtle and quiet rather than being ostentatious and loud."

A solar PV system with battery backup means the home can function during intermittent power outages, while the property’s two 500-gallon rainwater tanks provide irrigation for the garden. These cisterns came in handy during Texas’s recent cold snap. "Water has typically been our enemy in Houston, but during the recent winter storm and boil water advisories, we were going all over the neighborhood sharing our water," says Kris.



The primary bedroom is located upstairs and opens to a small deck that overlooks the backyard. Britt incorporated rugs made with natural fibers and vegetable-based dyes.



Walnut cabinets and quartz counters in the primary bathroom incorporate non-toxic, water-based finishes.

The resulting residence offers a holistic take on wellness and also reflects a true collaboration between the homeowners and designers. "It was a learning experience for all of us," says Britt. "A mutually beneficial creative endeavor."



A set of rust-colored chairs contrast with the neutral-toned concrete wall in the living room.



A peek at the McClendon Residence floor plans by StudioMET Architects.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
EU Proposes Phasing Out Russian Oil and Gas by End of 2027 to End Energy Dependence
More Than 150,000 Followers for a Fictional Character: The New Influencers Are AI Creations
EU Prepares for War
Trump Threatens Retaliatory Tariffs After EU Imposes €2.95 Billion Fine on Google
Tesla Board Proposes Unprecedented One-Trillion-Dollar Performance Package for Elon Musk
Gold Could Reach Nearly $5,000 if Fed Independence Is Undermined, Goldman Sachs Warns
Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay Secure Places at 2026 World Cup
Trump Administration Advances Plans to Rebrand Pentagon as Department of War Instead of the Fake Term Department of Defense
Big Tech Executives Laud Trump at White House Dinner, Unveil Massive U.S. Investments
Tether Expands into Gold Sector with Profit-Driven Diversification
‘Looks Like a Wig’: Online Users Express Concern Over Kate Middleton
Florida’s Vaccine Revolution: DeSantis Declares War on Mandates
Trump’s New War – and the ‘Drug Tyrant’ Fearing Invasion: ‘1,200 Missiles Aimed at Us’
"The Situation Has Never Been This Bad": The Fall of PepsiCo
At the Parade in China: Laser Weapons, 'Eagle Strike,' and a Missile Capable of 'Striking Anywhere in the World'
The Fashion Designer Who Became an Italian Symbol: Giorgio Armani Has Died at 91
Putin Celebrates ‘Unprecedentedly High’ Ties with China as Gazprom Seals Power of Siberia-2 Deal
China Unveils New Weapons in Grand Military Parade as Xi Hosts Putin and Kim
Rapper Cardi B Cleared of Liability in Los Angeles Civil Assault Trial
Google Avoids Break-Up in U.S. Antitrust Case as Stocks Rise
Couple celebrates 80th wedding anniversary at assisted living facility in Lancaster
Information Warfare in the Age of AI: How Language Models Become Targets and Tools
The White House on LinkedIn Has Changed Their Profile Picture to Donald Trump
"Insulted the Prophet Muhammad": Woman Burned Alive by Angry Mob in Niger State, Nigeria
Trump Responds to Death Rumors – Announces 'Missile City'
Druzhba Pipeline Incident Sparks Geopolitical Tensions
Cost of Opposition Leader Péter Magyar's Economic Plan Revealed
Germany in Turmoil: Ukrainian Teenage Girl Pushed to Death by Illegal Iraqi Migrant
United Krack down on human rights: Graham Linehan Arrested at Heathrow Over Three X Posts, Hospitalised, Released on Bail with Posting Ban
Asian and Middle Eastern Investors Avoid US Markets
Ray Dalio Warns of US Shift to Autocracy
Eurozone Inflation Rises to 2.1% in August
Russia and China Sign New Gas Pipeline Deal
Von der Leyen's Plane Hit by Suspected Russian GPS Interference in an Incident Believed to Be Caused by Russia or by Pro-Peace or by Anti-Corruption European Activists
China's Robotics Industry Fuels Export Surge
Suntory Chairman Resigns After Police Probe
Gold Price Hits New All-Time Record
UK Fintechs Explore Buying US Banks
Greece Suspends 5% of Schools as Birth Rate Drops
Apollo to Launch $5 Billion Sports Investment Vehicle
Bolsonaro Trial Nears Close Amid US-Brazil Tension
European Banks Push for Lower Cross-Border Barriers
Poland's Offshore Wind Sector Attracts Investors
×