If the 2019 Austin Modern Home Tour is any indication, the city of Austin, Texas, continues to deliver on its reputation as a hotbed for modern architecture. Featuring a dozen tour homes spread around metro Austin plus an enclave of mid-century modern homes in the Starlight Village community north of town, tour goers on February 23 can expect to experience a broad sampling of the modern genre.
Now in its 11th running, the Austin Modern Home Tour is another production by James Leasure and his Modern Architecture + Design Society (MA+DS). Leasure and his team have an uncanny ability to unearth the best in relevant modern architecture, and this year is true to form.
Here is a sampling of some of the unique homes on this year’s tour.
Barley Pfeiffer Architecture
In this dramatic end-to-end remodel transformation, the namesakes of Barley Pfeiffer Architecture—Alan Barley, AIA and Peter Pfeiffer, FAIA—brought their experience in modern and sustainable design to the forefront. A metamorphosis from a commonplace 1960s ranch home into a contemporary, energy-efficient example of Austin modern was the result. The home measures 2,426 square feet and was built by Ray Tonjes Builder.
Narrative from the sponsoring Modern Architecture + Design Society:
This complete renovation demonstrates a fun, yet restrained, approach to breathing new life into an outdated style in an established neighborhood. It bridges the contemporary modern movement with the popular ranch style of its time. Yet it displays attributes not often associated with homes of either genre—dynamic connection with the old growth oaks in the yard coupled with balanced natural day-lighting, remarkable comfort via passive solar control measures, and energy efficiency.
Matt Fajkus Architecture & Gingerwood
A collaboration by up-and-coming Austin modern architect Matt Fajkus and luxury interior design-build-furnish firm Gingerwood, this home measures 4,849 square feet and was constructed by Brodie Builders.
Narrative from the sponsoring Modern Architecture + Design Society:
Incorporating the site’s dynamic landscape into the daily life of its residents, the [Bracketed Space] House is designed as a meaningfully-framed procession through the property with nuanced natural lighting throughout. A continuous and jogging retaining wall from outside to inside embeds the structure below natural grade at the front with flush transitions at its rear facade. All indoor spaces open up to a courtyard which terraces down to the tree canopy, creating a readily visible and occupiable transitional space between man-made and nature.
Joseph Design Build
The compact Sky House (see the exterior image at the top of this page) from Joseph Design Build exemplifies modern design aesthetics, with a clean stacked box composition, walls of floor-to-ceiling glass, and a classic flat roofline. Inside, interior design firm Slic Design stayed true to modern norms with clean lines and Scandinavian-inspired minimalistic accents.
Narrative from the sponsoring Modern Architecture + Design Society:
Sky House explores the spatial relationship of public and private space to curate a series of intimate moments for its owners to experience. This two-story, 2,219-square-foot home is designed as a repose from busy daily life, a tall fence adds privacy to the open first floor, while the second floor imposes privacy with solid massing. The top volume transverses the bottom, creating an overhang providing shade for windows facing the garden below.
Verde Builders Custom Homes
Designed by architect Chase Dane and built by Verde Builders Custom Homes, this 2,450-square-foot home is sited in an urban setting, well within walking distance of East Austin.
Narrative from the sponsoring Modern Architecture + Design Society:
This home is a great example of modern residential architecture capitalizing on the square footage available of an urban lot. It offers essentially 3 levels, tons of outdoor entertaining spaces, captivating light fixtures, an artisan steel mono-stringer staircase, tons of natural light, and a fantastic focal point modern kitchen outfitted with blue cabinets and designer tile.
How to Attend
For tickets and more information on the February 23, 2019 event, visit the Modern Architecture + Design Society website.
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