Project Details

Set back from its quiet Austin street, this modest residence invokes the familiar, archetypal shape of ‘home’ in its street-facing façade. Defined by crisp details and modern fenestration, this house offers a fresh interpretation of a traditional form. As an admirer and author of architectural design, our client has a keen appreciation for the value of editing – maintaining a compact design minimizes the scale of the project, allowing it to fit in with the surrounding ‘old Austin’ neighborhood while efficiently providing necessary square footage. As a nod to the long history of the client’s positive connections to the city of Austin and The University of Texas at Austin, the entire house is clad in Texas Shellstone, a material frequently used on buildings at the university and throughout the city. Selectively placed windows punched into the stone façade offer a sense of privacy and protection from the street, adding a rhythmic element to the exterior of the house.

Intended to be the client’s ‘forever home’ and designed for universal living, most living spaces – including the primary suite – are on the ground floor, affording ease of access while preserving privacy. The presence of several large protected and heritage oak trees dictated many design decisions, affecting the building’s footprint, envelope, and utilities. The home is focused on day-to-day living, but also accommodates larger gatherings of family and friends. The living room, kitchen, and dining room are grouped in an open floor plan suitable for intimate gatherings and entertaining. Large sliding doors in the living room open out into the backyard for indoor-outdoor connectivity. The primary wing, set apart from the remainder of the ground floor, wraps around the property’s largest heritage tree and frames it as the centerpiece of the backyard.