“Can you bury a basketball court underground?”
It’s not the most common question we get, but for one family in Spanish Oaks, it was the only solution that made sense.
With three high-energy boys and two parents who value movement and play as much as design and functionality, the goal wasn’t just to build a house—it was to create a home that could grow with their family and actually get used year-round.
The Problem with Outdoor Courts in Central Texas
A lot of people assume Texas weather is perfect for outdoor recreation—and for a few months, it is. But this family knew better.
They had three major challenges:
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Extreme summer heat (106° is not uncommon)
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Cold snaps in the winter
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Severe spring allergies for two of the kids
Translation? A beautiful outdoor court was probably going to sit unused for half the year.
So they asked the question most families don’t:
“Can we build the court indoors?”
The Curveball: HOA Restrictions
Now, here’s where things got tricky.
In their neighborhood, a separate indoor sport court structure wasn’t allowed. So the architect and homeowner got creative.
“What if we put it under the house?”
That meant excavating a 40-foot hole—not a small job. And honestly, both the builder and homeowner admit: for a while, they weren’t sure it was going to happen.
But they stuck with it. And what seemed impossible ended up becoming the family’s favorite feature of the home.
The Underground Sport Court: What It Took to Make It Work
Designing a court underground brings some very specific challenges—especially when it comes to:
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Light
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Ventilation
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Playability
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Safety
We worked with the architect to ensure:
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The right ceiling height and court dimensions
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Strategic placement of skylights to flood the space with natural light
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Materials that could handle indoor humidity and temperature swings
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Proper shock absorption and vertical deflection, so play felt real—not like shooting hoops in a bunker
Today, the boys pick up games after school while Mom and Dad watch from the elevated gym above. It’s become less of a “court” and more of a family hub.
Why They Didn’t Stop There: A Full Backyard Sports Complex
As part of the same build, the family added:
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A 25-meter pool with a lap lane for triathlon training
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A soundproof music room for jam sessions (and future teenage privacy)
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A sunken fire pit for hosting guests
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And a wine room in place of a formal dining room—because they knew how they actually live
It’s a great example of what happens when families design for their lifestyle, not just resale.
What This Family Got Right
This project wasn’t about flash—it was about function. They asked the right questions early:
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How will we actually use this space?
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Will it work year-round?
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Can it evolve with our kids?
And most importantly:
What’s the point of building a dream home if we can’t play in it?
They worked with professionals who listened, planned, and problem-solved. And in the end, they didn’t just build a court—they created a space that invites connection, motion, and meaning into everyday life.
Thinking About a Backyard Court?
You don’t need 12,000 square feet or an architect on speed dial. You just need a reason.
Maybe your kids love basketball.
Maybe you want a place to play pickleball with friends.
Maybe your yard needs a purpose beyond grass.
Whatever the reason, we’re here to answer your questions—even the weird ones.
Like, “Can we build it underground?”
Spoiler: Sometimes, yes.
Let’s talk about what’s possible for your space.
