Austin-based Bercy Chen Design Studio often aims to modernize the architectural staples of yesteryear, bringing the sustainability of our ancestors into a 21st-century context. Their newest project, the "Red Bluff Residence," works to reinvent the ancient pit-house—once common to hunter-gatherer societies—for an effective site-specific architectural installation.

With sustainability as their goal, the original pit-house structure provides the Bercy Chen team with a fair starting point. Once utilized by the Cherokee and Inuit tribes, pit-houses are known for their ability to protect their contents from harsh temperatures. Their tendency to stay cool in summer and warm in winter comes from their underground structure, allowing wind to pass unnoticed above while the earth provides insulation and temperature consistency.