Marfa by Design

Marfa architecture and design weekend shines spotlight on desert living

Known for its wide-open landscapes, eclectic population and immunity to change, Marfa is both an unlikely tourist designation and a hotbed for art and design.

No one knows this more than Wrong Store and Gallery co-owner Buck Johnston and her lawyer friend Laura Hajovsky. The dynamic duo founded Design Marfa last year to advance economic development and sustainable growth while benefiting the town’s Chamber of Commerce.

Their first successful initiative — the Marfa Architecture + Design Home Tour and Symposium — returns for its second iteration this November 1-3 with a closer look at seven of the town’s architecturally significant homes.

“There’s a lot of innovation in Marfa, and we try to capture that with the houses we’re showing,” says Design Marfa co-founder Buck Johnston.

The multifaceted symposium gives attendees a chance to get up close and personal with the talented architects, designers, builders and landscapers who are influencing the Marfa aesthetic.

“We’re so remote we decided to the symposium was essential,” Johnston says. “In addition to the home tour, we wanted a conversation about the homes and desert living.

“There’s a lot of innovation in Marfa, and we try to capture that with the houses we’re showing. There’s a house that’s French Chinese Deco over-the-top amazing, houses that embody Marfa minimalism, and a four-room adobe with a Santa Fe feel. We’re trying to show the eclectic taste of Marfa residents.”

Symposium participants include Eames Demetrios — grandson of legendary designers Charles and Ray Eames — who lends insight into his “Parallel Universe” art installations, and Gary Cunningham, from top Texan firm Cunningham Architects, who speaks about the issue of climate in cultural design.

The symposium also features a case study of the historic Collie House’s extensive refurb, with owners, architects, designer and contractor all on hand to share how they turned a teardown into a showplace.

The weekend’s lucky attendees are feted Friday, November 1, with a party at the Capri featuring cuisine by Future Shark chef Krista Steinhaur Bork, as well as a cocktail soiree Saturday hosted by the Marfa Contemporary. With just 90 spots left, design and architecture fans are encouraged to snag their tickets today. This may be the last tour on Design Marfa’s agenda, at least for the next few years.

“We can’t decide if we’ll do it again next year, we may do it in two or three years,” Johnston says. “Marfa is small, and finding six different homes is a lot of work.

“We have other ideas we want to explore: a Marfa train station design contest, a Marfa coffee table book — even a Marfa app. We love it, but it’s not all we want to do.”

For more information about the Marfa Architecture + Design Home Tour and Symposium, visit the Design Marfa website. Tickets are $200 through July with code july2013, $250 if purchased in August, and $300 if purchased from September 1 through October 28. Individual tickets for only the Saturday or Sunday home tour are $35 each.

Sabrina Franzhiem's residence, a featured property on the Marfa Architecture + Design Home Tour.

Photo by Scogin Mayo

Sabrina Franzhiem's residence, a featured property on the Marfa Architecture + Design Home Tour.

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Park News

Texas agency acquires 1,100 acres for new state park in Hill Country

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department/tpwd.texas.gov

The new park will be across the river from Colorado Bend State Park (pictured).

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has acquired a new patch of land that they plan to use to create a new state park. According to a release, the agency has acquired 1,100 acres on the border of Burnet County and Lampasas County, 90 miles northwest of Austin — joining a prior acquisition of 2,020 acres made in January, and helping to push the state park into the realm of reality.

The 1,100 acres are located across from the existing Colorado Bend State Park, on the other side of the Colorado River. Within the land are a mile and a half of Yancey Creek (which is about four miles long and empties into the Colorado River), limestone bluffs, and several natural springs.

Before this second purchase had been made, the park was only a proposition. Now, TPWD and specifically chairman Jeff Hildebrand of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission are referring to the 3,000-acre state park as a reality.

Funds for the purchase came from a one-time funding appropriation as well as sporting goods sales taxes.

Development of the state park will come from a different source: a $1 billion, voter-approved Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. The fund was created in 2023 and has also led to purchases doubling the size of Enchanted Rock Natural State Area near Fredericksburg.

“I’d like to thank our incredible team for their hard work in not only acquiring these properties, but also the recent additions at Enchanted Rock and the purchase of Lake Colorado City State Park,” said TPWD executive director David Yoskowitz in the release. “The voters of Texas also deserve a huge thank you for saying ‘yes’ to the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, which will make the development of this park possible.”

TPWD has been gathering input from the public about what types of recreational opportunities they'd like to see. According to the release, the next step is using the input to develop a plan. Considerations also include habitat protection and conservation of the natural springs in the area. The land is also 10 miles upstream from Lake Buchanan, further informing the possibilities.

"This acquisition will give visitors access to the Colorado River, a beautiful creek and the diverse landscapes that are featured across the property," said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. "We look forward to generations of Texans enjoying the scenic views of the unique post oak woodland and outdoor adventures awaiting on this property."

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