Explore The 2025 Tour Homes
Showcasing Amazing Examples of "Modern" Austin Today!
About 48 hours before Tour Day, watch your email for a printable PDF map and info packet, as well as links to a dynamic online map for easy navigation.
Travel at your own pace as you visit the homes in any order you wish between 10 AM and 5 PM on Saturday only.
Showcasing Amazing Examples of "Modern" Austin Today!
Interior Design: Laura Burton Interiors
Our clients are followers of Austin’s modern architecture movement, yet they embrace a strong competing appreciation for “climate-responsiveness” BY DESIGN and how much hotter Austin’s climate has become. They value a “lower carbon footprint” lifestyle and want to downsize back into the neighborhood where they raised their kids. With health concerns that demand a particular healthy living environment, they also want to accommodate their favorite hobby – Ball Room Dancing! (Wow: five strong client goals which are tough to incorporate into one package!)
By carefully organizing the plan layout around “benign temperature zones” we promote living luxuriously while contributing less to atmospheric damage. This is augmented with rigorous solar radiation studies that inform window placement, window design, and window shading devices. The proprietary roof design even serves as a “shading umbrella” as opposed to the “heat collector” roofs so popular today. High design works in symphony with pragmatic time-tested building science. This home does not rely on expensive gizmos or short life-expectancy tech-based strategies, rather it represents a passive climate design approach that will stand up to the test of time.
Images: Jamie Leasure / MA+DS
Switchback House is an exploration of sculpted interior space. The house is designed around a flowing openness between upstairs and downstairs made possible by peeling the ceiling upwards toward the second story ceiling. The seam between the two ceilings is activated by a large skylight that illuminates the stairwell at the core of the house. The resultant form is simple from the exterior, while the interior is dynamic and volumetric. The site’s steep slope is negotiated by the house and its retaining walls, adding another layer of volumetric experience as the land is sculpted to provide exterior living spaces that extend the interior. The house’s openings and placement on the lot respond to a heritage live oak tree which sweeps over much of the back of the site. This beautiful tree becomes a focal point from the central areas of the home, both interior and exterior. This tree further activates the house as its branches interact with wind and sunlight throughout the day.
Images: Leonid Furmansky
This distinctive home on Lake Austin is central to downtown and steps away from paddle boarding on Hidden Cove.
The private residence was a unique undertaking. We initially considered designing a new construction 7,500 sf. home, typical in the Hills of Westlake and demoing the existing 50-year-old 3,500 sf. structure. However, we ultimately chose a different path, opting for a complete restoration of the 1972 ranch instead. Even with its countless imperfections, this home became an architectural gem. The design approach helped inspire the restoration of other residences on this Mid-Century Street.
images: Andrea Calo
Architect: Mark D. Carlson, AIA, NCARB
Interiors: Butter Lutz Interiors
This is a contemporary home with English Modern stylings, carefully designed to blend into the Neighborhood while allowing for a more modernist approach once you walk in the front door.
The interior finishes by Butter Lutz Interiors feature warm earth-tones and sleek finishes – a very modern transitional style that is becoming the most frequent request from homeowners in Austin.
The house has a very open concept with a floating riser staircase. Two living areas – one as the show “great room” and a secondary family room in the back – create a luxurious living space while large exterior living and dining areas overlooking a sleek modern style pool complete the luxury lifestyle embodied in this home.
Images: Adrian Rivera / Austin Studio Architects
Architect: Davey McEathron Architecture
In North Austin’s Allandale neighborhood, a 1958 mid-century modern gem has been transformed through a collaboration between Cary Paul Studios and Davey McEathron Architecture.
The design team expanded the original 2,000-square-foot home by an additional 2,100 square feet, creating a spacious 5-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom residence that honors its mid-century roots while embracing modern living. The remodel thoughtfully addressed the home’s limitations—a compact kitchen, small bedrooms, and a tight living area. Now, the reimagined space boasts a larger primary suite, an expansive kitchen and living area, and a private guest suite at the back. This suite boasts a striking folded plate roof, a nod to classic mid-century modern design.
The home also gained versatile spaces, including an office, flex room, and game room. Aesthetic updates to the front elevation include a new cream-colored brick facade, a deep green palette, and a bold circular window.
Inside, curvilinear design elements tie the spaces together, beginning with a dramatic barrel-vaulted ceiling and a gracefully curved wall. Thoughtful details throughout the home reflect this motif, enhancing the flow and cohesion of the design. The result is a seamless blend of vintage charm and modern function, creating a home that’s both timeless and contemporary.
Images: James Ruiz
Make+House is a new construction ADU that weaves together the work and living modes of someone looking to work where they live.
A multi-purpose art studio and a minimalist living space conjoin under one L-shaped roof – however, the entries to each are at opposite ends of the ‘L’, and a landscaped courtyard separates them. The together-but-separate concept creates a literal space between living and working, but it also creates a mental space between the two: a very healthy sensibility for someone working solely from home.
The maker space (at left) embodies a high-art garage and contains the various art and other activities (carbon-printing, photography, motorcycle restoration). The exterior walls are intentionally-rusting steel channels, banding a grooved stucco. The order of the horizontal steel bands and vertically-grooved stucco mimics the homeowner’s main artistic focus – carbon-printing. The prints produce a clean archival quality, yet maintain the handmade and messy borders. The stucco explores that aesthetic architecturally. Tall ceilings, polished concrete floor, full-width utility sink, and custom deep-set windows create an atmosphere conducive to getting dirty, in a refined way.
The living space (at right) complements the maker space and is pared down to induce an edited way of life, per the homeowner’s desire to live more minimally as they embark on this creative lifestyle change. Clean art display details, carefully-placed views, and softened indirect daylighting create a curated but relaxed living environment, in which they can enjoy the works they produce.
Images: Marcus McKenzie / Hush House
Architect: Workshop No. 5
Interiors: Baiza Interiors
Kitchen: Signature Kitchen Suite/Ferguson
A harmonious blend of luxury and modern design defines this stunning home in NW Hills, ideally situated on a tree-lined street. The striking modern exterior offers exceptional curb appeal, leading to an open, functional floor plan with 14’ ceilings and walls of glass.
The chef’s kitchen features SKS luxe appliances, marble countertops, custom white oak cabinetry, and a spacious butler’s pantry, while the main level boasts a mother-in-law layout with owner’s and guest suites, while upstairs includes two additional bedrooms and a versatile flex area.
The backyard is an entertainer’s dream flowing seamlessly from the interior, with expansive decks, an outdoor kitchen, a fireplace, a pool and spa, and a serene landscaped courtyard.
Images: Rob Gomez Photography
Rest & Refreshments Sponsor: Arien Bowersock – The Home Loan Expert
Thurman Homes returns once more to the Modern Home Tour with a new build in the heart of old 78704.
Experience the epitome of urban living in these stunning 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom new construction homes. Nestled in the heart of Austin’s vibrant Bouldin Creek neighborhood, Frank offers a harmonious blend of modern luxury and natural beauty.
The pocket community is bounded by Bouldin Creek to the west, and a park to the north. The exterior pays homage to the heavily-treed setting with touches of stained wood siding and exposed beams.
Step inside to discover a spacious interior curated with contemporary minimal Scandi finishes that enhance the open-concept layout. A covered deck extends the living area to the outdoors, perfect for relaxation or entertaining.
Upstairs provides a retreat including two bedrooms, two baths, with a laundry right where it’s needed. These bedrooms take advantage of the airy vaulted height with additional high windows, increasing natural light without sacrificing privacy.
Images: courtesy Thurman Homes
Home Sponsor: Ferguson
Twin Oaks is an architectural treasure crafted from the vision of an inviting gathering space that brings beauty to the homeowners’ daily lives. The design is centered around the common living area and its direct connection to the outdoors, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows and sliders. While the living spaces flow together with modern simplicity, a butterfly roof opens up these volumes, diffusing natural light throughout the home and giving the architecture a striking, mid-century – inspired silhouette. Warm wood finishes and intriguing views pull a visitor inward, inviting them to experience the thoughtful details of the home and its outdoor space.
Fixed around the common living domain are 5 bedrooms and the functional spaces of the home, each designed with a unique view and custom interior finishes. Pockets of landscaped courtyards are inserted between these spaces to carve a burst of color and light into the daily experience. The floor plan is composed with flexibility to accommodate the growth and changes that families experience together, with seamless access to the living space and outdoors. The design of Twin Oaks explores functionality, elegance, and simplicity from its schematic conception to minute details, with an emphasis on the beauty of being together.
Photos, Robert Gomez. Renders courtesy Workshop No. 5
In this reimagined mid-century home, we embrace sustainability through authentic living design principles. By preserving the original single-story form, we create a sunlit courtyard using passive solar techniques. Prioritizing old-world natural materials and processes, we craft a healthy interior environment, devoid of artificial dyes, paints, and stains.
Experience the luxury of simplicity, where the past converges with the present in perfect harmony with nature. The home is designed to maximize its wooded surroundings by merging indoor and outdoor spaces. The front courtyard is encased in a Texas limestone privacy wall. It is seamlessly connected to the rear pool, deck, and guesthouse through a glass volume. An additional garden courtyard is hidden into the Primary Bath to create a true sense of escape and total outdoor privacy.
Images: Leonid Furmansky
From the street, the house presents as two gabled volumes joined by a glass bridge. This massing breaks down the scale of this substantial residence into smaller volumes, creating a welcoming street presence. Vaulted interiors are illuminated through a series of dormer windows that define the front elevation.
This design successfully addresses a key challenge of hillside construction: balancing desire for elevated view while maintaining a connection to backyard, pool and deck. The main floor elevation was carefully chosen for a spectacular view at the entry to the house while preserving a connection to the outdoor living spaces on the hill below. In the backyard a terraced landscape creates connections between the pool and living spaces on various levels of the house.
The pool and landscape are set delicately in the site to create a private oasis, while a third, smaller volume containing a guest suite frames an intimate poolside courtyard.
Images: Leonid Furmansky
Builder: Highline Homes
Home Sponsor: US Lumber Brokers
The Westoak Residence is a modern home that blends inspiration from Luis Barragán’s vivid colors and the boldness of traditional Japanese architecture.
Expansive windows invite abundant natural light, connecting the indoors and outdoors. At the heart of the backyard, a pool nestles into the home’s L-shaped layout, framed by terracotta colored stucco and tigerwood.
A recurring half-arch motif anchors the design, appearing in cabinetry, ceilings, walls, and custom details, lending the home a playful yet cohesive identity. The kitchen combines natural and rich materials with walnut cabinets and an eye-catching green quartzite countertop. A sculptural staircase of steel and white oak marks the transition to the private areas of the house, offering a moment of elegance and intrigue.
Throughout the project, a new line of tile by Rock Paper Build adds a layer of artistry and uniqueness. This home is a testament to thoughtful design and meticulous craft.
Images: Interiors courtesy Davey McEatheron Architecture, exteriors J Leasure / MA+DS
Located right next to downtown Austin is a perfect blend of modern design and understated elegance.
Designed by Joseph Design Build, this newly completed home stands out with its rounded glass windows, a distinctive feature that brings natural light deep into the space while adding a sculptural touch to the exterior. The curves of the windows offer a unique depth and frame unobstructed views of the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Wood accents throughout the home provide warmth and texture, balancing the sleek, modern lines with natural elements. The carefully chosen wood finishes complement the home’s minimalist design, creating a harmonious connection to the outdoors.
A Japanese maple takes center stage on the property, contributing a sense of calm and balance. The home’s design invites a slower, more intentional way of living, with each room carefully positioned to take full advantage of the views of the surrounding landscape, creating a serene environment. Inside, the neutral palette and clean lines enhance the timeless quality of the design, creating an open flow from one space to the next. Whether enjoying quiet moments or hosting gatherings, the layout adapts to both.
Just minutes from Zilker Park, Barton Springs, and the vibrant cultural scenes of SOLA, SOCO, and South First, this home offers both convenience and accessibility to all that Austin has to offer. It’s also within the highly regarded Barton Springs Elementary school district, adding to its appeal.
Images courtesy Joseph Design Build
Images courtesy smartDigs
Tour the homes. Meet the architects and designers, and Get Inspired! The 2025 Austin Modern Home Tour takes you inside of Austin’s coolest homes, and face-to-face with the creative geniuses that make them a reality!
