Living in the Bay Area for over a decade, my clients dreamt of returning to Austin, Texas where they first met. For years, they pined over real estate listings before finally making an offer site-unseen in the centrally-located, family-friendly Rosedale neighborhood. Initial design attempts were made to reconfigure and add on to the original 2-1 pier and beam cottage. This possibility was quickly squelched when construction costs and existing foundation limitations proved prohibitive. Determined to take adv
Along with a detailed list of programmatic objectives, my clients wanted an unassuming low-pitch gable roof, expansive views of the street and back yard, a physical and visual connection from the front to the back of the house, a “perched” front porch for socializing with neighbors and a carport for their 1966 Fiat 600D. Because the overall development on the 50’ x roughly 135’ lot was restricted by the city of Austin’s development code, efficiency was of utmost importance. The lot slopes an entire floor fr
The remaining available square footage was reserved for an existing, detached studio apartment (previously connected to the garage they demolished). The 295 SF studio was a major selling point for the clients who aimed to live small but also frequently hosted family and friends who desired privacy. The studio also provides supplementary income as a short-term rental thus reinforcing their decision to limit the overall house square footage in favor of maintaining the detached space. Landscape designer Franni