When you were in high school or college, you probably dreamed about how amazing it would be if you could live right next door to your best friends forever, right? Of course, you probably knew even then that it was a pipe dream. Finding friends who are that dedicated is extremely rare.
Well, four couples in Texas who are all BFFs are living the dream on “Bestie Row.”
Originally from Austin, the four couples wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and surround themselves with nature. So together, they bought up ten acres alongside the beautiful Llano River, and then hired an architect named Matt Garcia to construct their homes.
Each of the houses cost around $40,000 to construct. All of them were built to be energy-efficient, and each one measures around 350 square feet.
You can see that simplicity is emphasized in the design. The floors are concrete, the plywood is exposed, and the exteriors are metal. There are big windows offering a view of the surrounding landscape. The result is a minimalist aesthetic which keeps the occupant’s focus on the beautiful outdoors.
Ample storage space along the walls in the form of shelves and cubbies keeps the floor space in the middle of the rooms as open as possible.
Along with the four houses, there is a 1,500-square-foot cabin which includes a kitchen and living space to be shared by the four couples. This means that each couple has some private space, but the common area allows for the eight friends to share their lives with each other on a continuous basis. Being as this is the largest space, the emphasis is on the
friendships between the eight of them. The private cabins also have mini-kitchens and bathrooms.
The land where the houses is constructed is quite dry, and the water available is limited. To make the homes more efficient, Garcia outfitted them with butterfly roofing which captures rainwater. This water is then circulated throughout the property to add to the water supply.
Seriously, what a beautiful and inspiring tribute to friendship! These eight friends care so much for each other they literally have constructed a life together. In a society that encourages the dissolution of friendships as people marry off, this is a wonderfully rebellious statement, well in line with the tiny house movement’s best guiding principles.
When the couples are away from home, they rent out their property for corporate retreats, family reunions and getaways. You can learn more about Llano River Compound or book a stay here.
