Perfect Partners

With a side-by-side arrangement that permits shared spaces and amenities, the game and media rooms in this spectacular $7 million custom residence in Austin, Texas, combine to create an inviting informal zone that serves as one of the home's primary entertaining areas, says architect and builder, Luis Jauregui.

"These two rooms are probably the most public ones in the home," says Jaurequi. "Here is where the owners will spend most of their time with friends."

Located on the 16,873-square-foot home's main floor, this multifunctional recreation area features a key connection to the outdoor pool terrace as well as to the more private indoor spaces including the family room and kitchen, says Jauregui. "It was important that they be convenient for the family to use every day."

Both rooms can also be accessed through the home's main gallery. "This allows guests to enter the space without the owners having to bring them through their more personal areas," says Jauregui. "So many times I see a plan in which the media or game room is located upstairs next to the bedrooms. To me, this is really an inappropriate place for this type of noisy entertaining space."

While the home's large square footage permitted him to be more liberal with the design and scale of the media and game rooms, Jauregui says creating a connection between the two makes even more sense for more modestly sized applications. By placing the wet bar in the game room just outside the entry to the media room, Jaurequi says that it can be used by people in either area with equal ease.

In this home, the game room is exceptionally large and features an irregular footprint designed to accommodate the family's varied gaming interests including a 26-foot-long indoor shuffleboard table, a billiards area, space for electronic game tables, as well as a comfortable seating area.

A separate study located at the opposite end of the main floor, adjacent to the formal living room was designed to provide the homeowner with similar flexibility of use, says Jauregui. "We ask our clients what their goal is for a space like a study. Is it intended to be a working office, a library or an entertaining space? Invariably they say all three!"

The large square footage of this home permitted Jauregui to be more liberal with the design and create a room that does it all. Glass doors that connect the study to the living room can be opened while entertaining. A free-standing spiral staircase leads to a mid-level catwalk that provides access to the homeowner's collection of books. The study also functions as an office complete with discrete file storage, a conference table, a drop down projection screen for audio/visual presentations, and a wet bar.

Style of Home ¦ Mediterranean

Location ¦ Austin, Tex.

Total Square Footage ¦ 16,873 sq. ft.

Estimated Market Value ¦ $7 million

Builder/Architect ¦ Jauregui Architect Builder, Austin, Tex.

Interior Design ¦ John-Williams Interiors, Austin, Tex.

Custom Primary Residence

Major Products Used ¦ Cabinetry: Llano Custom Cabinets ¦ HVAC: Carrier ¦ Lighting: Lightolier ¦ Home Systems & Controls: LiteTouch, On-Q, Crestron ¦ Windows: Lincoln Wood Products