Built on Bau-Biologie Principles, This Casa Linda Estates Craftsman Introduces Us to Tex-Zen Architecture

What do you get when you mix an environmental medicine physician, a leader in sustainable living, and a local building legend? An entirely new architectural movement defined by intentional living, human-scale harmony, and eco-consciousness. The team behind 9204 Hermosa calls it Tex-Zen, and we’re here for it.

Taking inspiration from famed architect Susanne Susanka and her book series The Not So Big House, the husband-wife duo that commissioned this home sought to create something that transcends traditional architecture. For those unfamiliar, The Not So Big House is a blueprint for building homes that serve both spiritual and material needs. “Build better, not bigger” is the ethos.

Underpinning the design approach are the principles of Bau-Biologie or building biology. Promoting healthier relationships between humans and their environment, this Germanic philosophy treats buildings as a “third skin.” Therefore, clean air, pure water, and low-toxicity living are essential to the construction.

What does all this look like in practice? We can’t wait to show you in this week’s Inwood Home of the Week sponsored by Inwood National Bank.

Built by Mark Martinek in 2012, this three-bedroom, three-bathroom dwelling brings a meticulous vision to life over 2,127 square feet.

From the curb, this home presents as an attractive Texas Hill Country Craftsman. Dormer windows, a large front porch, and hearty columns nod to the classics. While an Austin stone exterior and standing seam metal roofing put the Tex in Tex-Zen.

The team meticulously hand-selected the materials for this Bau-Biologie home. American-made components were preferentially sourced throughout. Martinek is known for his expertise in historical renovations, so elements like salvaged red oak floors, antique stained glass, and vintage architectural details are sourced from historic homes.

Upon entering, you see how beautifully it all works together. The layout is open and light-filled, balancing solid craftsmanship with contemporary freshness. The main living room centers around a stone hearth and opens seamlessly to the dining room and kitchen. Sherwin-Williams Compatible Cream finishes add a definitive character to these spaces, covering magnesium oxide walls composed of a natural mineral compound. Throughout the home, healthy, low-VOC, and sustainable materials like this make appearances.

The kitchen is modern and functions, making mealtimes a breeze. Here, stainless-steel appliances, custom cabinetry, and a sizeable butcher block add a chef’s touch to this timeless home. A stained-glass-adorned breakfast nook takes this Bau-Biologie space in a quaint direction.

The primary suite is a breath of fresh air, featuring a private balcony entrance and an abundance of windows. Just outside, a 40-foot screened-in porch seamlessly extends the living space into the outdoors. Therefore, it’s perfect for relaxing or entertaining year-round. Also, the stained glass primary suite doors were originally salvaged from a bar in New Orleans.

Then, the ensuite bathroom is an ode to historic design. Details like a salvaged cast-iron tub and Mackintosh Rose 1920s-era antique stained-glass windows set the tone. However, modern sustainable materials and contemporary touches make it a luxury experience.

This home features an array of rooms to explore, and every corner balances health and healing with sustainability and architectural reverence. Therefore, from the upstairs landing to the light-drenched front room, this home invigorates the human spirit.

A few other details that define its wellness features are clerestory interior windows for added circulation, “breathing walls” for EMF protection and toxic mold prevention, and whole-house water filtration.

Finally, we saved one of the best features for last. Just over the beautiful Texas native landscaped backyard is a livable work of art. Brad Kittle of the Original Tiny Texas Home crafted this thoughtful retreat. Commissioned in 2011, the construction features 95% salvaged materials. Coincidentally, Kittle built the home in Salvage, Texas, then transported it to Dallas.

Like the main home, this tiny home creates a restorative sanctuary imagined with ultimate healing in mind. Mackintosh Rose stained glass, reclaimed sinks from dental offices, and kitchen countertops made from church pews tell a vivid story.

We rarely encounter something this unique and special. If you want to see it for yourself, the home will be open to the public on Saturday, April 11, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Jenny Capritta with RE/MAX DFW Associates lists 9204 Hermosa Drive for $888,000.