Sample 3D model from the 2020 Austin Modern Home Tour
Interior Design: Eklektik Interiors
Architecture: BlackBox Design Studio
Photography: Alan Blakely Photography
Sitting on five acres, this modern ranch home is innovative and complex but boasts a minimalist vibe. The 8’x12’ walnut pivot front door opens to a spacious entry with a view into the great room and through the back wall of windows to the pool and outdoor living areas. A custom-designed iron rod wall along the entryway allows a glimpse of the bar and lounge area. The adjacent formal dining room houses a custom-designed glass-enclosed climate-controlled wine storage area. An open floor plan with modern steel frame construction, 24-foot-tall board-formed concrete walls, and floor-to-ceiling western-facing windows give this home an abundance of open space and natural light, combining the indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. Iron I-beams are juxtaposed with smooth cedar-clad ceilings for contrast and visual interest. Smart technology throughout allows motorized shades for the large windows to hide in soffits in the ceiling when not in use. The home also includes: a study, game room, mud room, catering kitchen and butler’s pantry, pool bath house, powder room, laundry room, four bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, his and hers closets with vanity areas, a party barn, two three-car garages, and a private casita with a kitchen, bedroom, and bath.
This kitchen perfectly balances form and function, offering both a dramatic aesthetic and the convenience of dual Galley workstations for ease of use. A 6’ Galley workstation with an induction top at the side is included in a large island for prepping and cooking, and a 3’ Galley with an 18” dock sits under a quartzite-clad wall with floating shelves for ease of clean-up. Coupled with a Thermadore column refrigerator/freezer combination with double ovens, this kitchen is a formal chef or casual family meal planner’s dream. The kitchen cabinets and both islands were custom designed by Eggersman and paired with walnut wood frames along the back wall of the kitchen to create visual continuity with the same materials used on either side of the living room fireplace and in the lounge area. Located directly behind the kitchen is a well-appointed butler’s pantry, including its own 4’ Galley workstation. The cascading LED Pendants by Hammerton Forge make for dramatic lighting between kitchen and main living area and bring a sophisticated accent to this minimalist home.
Desiring an open concept for entertaining and living, this room is second to none. An open floor plan with modern steel frame construction, 24-foot-tall board-formed concrete walls, and floor-to-ceiling western-facing windows give this home an abundance of open space and natural light, combining the indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. Iron I-beams are juxtaposed with smooth cedar-clad ceilings for contrast and visual interest. Smart technology throughout allows motorized shades for the large windows to hide in soffits in the ceiling when not in use. The fireplace wall boasts a board formed concrete accent wall and a 13-foot fireplace. Walnut encased shelving on either side adds warmth and a lovely counterbalance to the concrete. Lighting within the bookcase allows possessions to be highlighted and displayed in a simplistic but dramatic fashion.
Desiring to have a place that no one else has, this home bar and lounge offers a great entertaining space with a super cool atmosphere. Merging this client’s passion for great wine a cool place for conversation and drinking great beverages, this room has it all. Located just inside the entry, the bar area is slightly obscured by a custom iron rod wall that allows others to see in, but not really experience the space until you enter from just around the corner. The board formed concrete wall creates great visual interest and a unique backdrop for the walnut wall unit that surrounds the back bar. Housing a wine dispenser, the homeowners and guests can enjoy nice wine without having to consume the entire bottle. Acrylic backlit wood art installation under the front sitting bar adds not only drama but a nice organic touch with the iron rods. Topped off with a custom ‘hot red’ sofa, this room is the perfect place to entertain. Amazing lighting adds to the ambiance with a cool LED pendant light hanging in the corner and double lit liquor drawers under counter highlighting their extensive liquor collection.
For the bedroom we were working with a large area and not wanting it to be too busy or filled with ‘a lot of stuff’, this client was wanting a sexy retreat with a dramatic feel. Custom designed walnut bed wall/ceiling with LED light embedded gives drama and ambiance. Large windows look to an amazing back yard/pool/patio entertainment area. Dramatic and still serene and sexy. Mission accomplished.
The client’s wanted a bathroom retreat like no other. With that mission statement in mind, we went all out with a double entry double headed walk-in shower. Large, sandblasted windows provide natural light and privacy. Lava stone dimensional tiles creates a stunning backdrop for the freestanding tub, while glass mosaic tiles line the walls and ceilings of the entire shower. Modern luxury at its finest.
Designed for a family that values connection, the outdoor living space is an anchor element that definitively informs the architecture and design of the entire home. The flooring material used for the indoor and outdoor spaces was styled in a uniform way to create continuity. The entire back wall of the home is a cascade of glass that opens to a large, covered patio area. Climate-controlled areas ensure that the full outdoor living and entertaining experience can be enjoyed year-round. Mirroring the elements that underscore the beauty and functionality of the indoor kitchen, the outdoor kitchen features NatureKast cabinets, refrigeration, a large cooking and serving area with a 4’ Galley Workstation, and a grilling set-up complete with a Memphis Pellet Grill, EVO grill with a side burner. Family members and guests can relax at the large island, the full dining table, bistro table, or in the sectional seating area centered around a gas fire pit. Other relaxation options include a queen size swing bed for lounging, four additional chair swings, and an additional indoor/outdoor area with another gas fire pit. Nearby, a gorgeous infinity edge pool surrounded by limestone and containing a large spa overlooks a fully lit lacrosse field.
Architecture: Gary R. Chandler Architecture
Interior Design: Paula Fyhr Designs
Photography: Miro Dvoracak
CABANA: Located in a small backyard, the cabana, pool, terrace and landscaping were designed to be one seamless composition. Building upon the seamless design, glass panels located on the south and west elevations back into marble pockets, allowing individuals to experience the entire backyard with uninterrupted ease. Modern interiors and a white palette were selected to visually expand the space while enhancing the natural light. The landscaping is minimalist and structural to compliment the architecture. 2019 ASID winner: Best Outdoor Living
GUEST SUITE: By first removing all interior walls of an existing guest suite, a single 7’ tall partition was placed defining the living, bed and dining areas. To increase the square footage and visual size of the suite, a large box window was placed on the south elevation overlooking a grove of mature oak trees. Along the stairwell four frosted glass panels were installed to filter the west sun. White palette interiors enhanced the beauty of the soft filtered light. 2019 ASID winner: Best Residence
Interior Open Living Area, Kitchen and Powder: To
create a clean transition between indoors and out, neutral colors, natural
materials and modernist interiors were carried throughout. The marriage of
sleek, clean lines and high-end features with comfort and high performance was
the clients’ priority. The result was a very welcoming space that I would call,
“livable luxury.”
The house connects to the outdoor space most directly through the living area’s full-height sliding-glass wall, allowing views across the pool area and pool house while retaining a cozy sense of intimacy. That entrance opens to the living area, open kitchen and powder. The interior color palette incorporated white, varying shades of gray, brass and golden colors to accentuate light patterns.
Both the floor to ceiling fireplace and Kitchen Island, counter and backsplash areas were done in Statuario to mirror the pool house façade in a high performance Laminam ceramic. The Poggenpohl kitchen in shades of gray creates a neutral element, to house the high-end appliances. Pops of brass and golden elements throughout bring in the sun. Embracing the clients love of art and anticipating high traffic flow, we used a large artist designed Holly Hunt carpet that is as luxurious as wool and silk, yet created using Subrella acrylic yarns. Furnishings throughout, a mix of transitional and contemporary pieces, boast a streamlined efficiency, as well. Performance fabrics including Holly Hunt Mokum and Great Plains were used on furnishings to tolerate heavy use. The cocktail table of transparent glass is GlasItalia.
Designed by Intexure and built by Boxprefab, the Shade 640 Accessory Dwelling Unit is a great example of living large in a small space. In the urban setting such as this project, it is situated in the backyard to serve as a guest house, casita, office space or mother-in-law suite. It can also be delivered out in the country as a complete weekend home. Build in a controlled environment through prefabricated methods, the home offers a faster construction time with higher quality and sustainability compared to site built construction.
Architecture: Origin Architects
Photography: Keven Alvarado
Concealed by 20-Acres of densely wooded property lies this Contemporary Modern-Hill Country inspired Estate. Low pitched roofs march rhythmically to the highest point of the home allowing for an elegant integration with the natural surroundings. Austin Limestone exterior walls, and timber beams help enhance this harmony with the surrounding natural setting.
Clean lines & towering ceilings open this contemporary sanctuary to its heavily wooded multi-acre surroundings. Natural Light cascades at every turn through a playful array of windows. Sliding walls of windows extend the great room into the outdoor entertaining areas. With full House Automation, this functional 1.5-story layout has all four bedrooms at the main Level, w/ two separate stairways leading to the game room & media room which are located on opposite sides of the great room.
This home, designed for a very dynamic family has a true open concept best achieved by the living room, kitchen, dining room as well as an Integrated bar which also open directly into the exterior spaces. The covered Lanai serves as a fully protected extension of the great room with an outdoor kitchen and Fireplace which overlook the natural surroundings as well as the Poolside Oasis & even a Sand Volleyball Pit.
Architecture: refuGe Design Studio
Urban Lifestyle meets Suburban Context. This young family wanted to develop informal indoor/outdoor public spaces, that are easily accessible, with minimal circulation and maximum visibility. In addition, an urban-like sense of security is created by the entry courtyard. Progressive exterior entry spaces add a sense of security, as a failsafe for young children. These spaces also allow visitors to physiologically enter the home without out physically entering. The entry courtyard becomes the front “door.”
The property is east/west oriented, which can be difficult in the Texas climate. In addition, the lot is oddly shaped. These constraints required an unconventional approach. The design incorporates deep shaded exterior living spaces protected by structure, prevailing winds and orientation. The exterior spaces also allow for an excess of natural interior light, without direct sunlight.
This project was an exercise in the synergy of urban/suburban, exterior/interior, public/private, secure/insecure…….quite Zen actually.
We’re here to let you know we’ll be conducting our 2021 Modern Home Tour Series with a combination of in-person 360 virtual walkthroughs – see example at top – combined with realtime LIVE interactions with you, the tourgoer, the architects and designers that created these beautiful spaces, and the homeowners that live in them (if available).
What does this mean for you? Well, a few things, actually…
We like the idea so much that once things are back to normal, we expect to continue using the lessons we’ve learned to make our live Tours even better with bonus content and additional virtual homes… but let’s not get ahead of ourselves…
Ready to Tour? You know what to do