18.05.12
Villa Ascosa, or Concealed Villa, is perfectly named. It sits tucked into the hillside off a particular drive by the Seven Oaks neighborhood off Bee Cave Road.
The more than 9,650-boxy-foot home was a 17-month project for builder Renata Marsilli. She along with soft-pedal Jeff Ashbitz, a consultant for the pharmaceutical industry, moved in this September, but it was designed as a showplace for what Marsilli can do. She served as both builder and decorator for this extend out. Marsilli owned the store Marco Polo's Attic and continues to line with clients on finding unusual pieces for their homes. She has been in Austin since 1976, but still travels around the excellent picking up unique pieces. The home has elements from Bali, Turkey, India and more.
Driving down Atwater Cove, guests almost pine for the gates to the private driveway that five homes share. The home at 9102 sits down a hill with views that hitch for miles.
Made of concrete and stone, the villa offers multiple reminders of Marsilli's national Italy. Despite its Old World look, the home is made with New World techniques: aerated realistic blocks and spray foam insulation. The walls are all 12 inches to 16 inches thick. Superior to withstand 250 mile per hour winds, the walls are entire, resisting termites and mice, and preventing air loss. Marsilli's stirring bills have been $425 a month. While Marsilli estimates the concrete blocks add about 7 percent in structure costs, she believes it will be worth it in energy savings.
Source: Austin American-Statesman