An extension perched above a ranch house and a 3D-printed home designed by Lake Flato and ICON feature in this roundup of contemporary architecture in Austin, Texas.
Austin has seen increased development in recent years, including several supertall skyscrapers being built in the city.
The city is also known as a creative and quirky hub, home to innovations in technology, music and design, reflected in the popular SXSW festival held in the city.
Its residential architecture reflects a diversity of styles that incorporate influences from vernacular architecture to technological innovation.
Read on for 10 unique residential projects that showcase Austin’s contemporary design culture
House Zero by ICON and Lake Flato Architects
ICON and Austin-based architecture studio Lake Flato collaborated on this partially 3D-printed house, which debuted during art and technology festival SXSW as an ongoing model for contemporary construction techniques.
Its Lavacrete walls took approximately 10 hours to print using ICON’s Vulcan construction system, which Lake Flato complemented with planes of natural wood throughout the rest of the house.
Find out more about House Zero ›
Filtered Frame Dock by Matt Fajkus Architecture
Laser-cut perforated metal facades wrap the exterior of this two-storey boathouse on a shore in Austin, which were used so that the structure receives an equal amount of sun and shade throughout the year.
“An instrument for light and ventilation, the structure is calibrated to provide a comfortable balance of sun, shade, shelter and breezes throughout the year,” said Matt Fajkus Architecture.
Find out more about Filtered Frame Dock ›
Casa Casey by Side Angle Side
Architecture in Marfa, Texas and Maine informed the restrained and classic form of this residence in Austin, which was designed and built for architecture photographer Casey Dunn.
Its gabled roof and boxy silhouette nod to the simplicity of a child’s drawing and the bright, open interior echo a similar pared-back nature.
Find out more about Casa Casey ›
Inglewood Residence by Mark Odom Studio
The owner of this Austin residence has a deep appreciation for mid-century architecture, so Mark Odom Studio incorporated elements like slatted screens, pale masonry walls and a pebbled roof.
A carport also houses a pale-blue Thunderbird, which inspired the choice of a bright blue front door.
Find out more about Inglewood Residence ›
Cross Cabin by Moontower Design Build
Moontower Design Build created this accessory dwelling unit with “plant-based” materials as a response to Michael Pollan’s book Food Rules and an AIA pledge to centre design on the holistic impact of a building.
Its structure was made from cross-laminated timber and then covered in insulation and cladding made from cork, hemp and wood fiber.
Find out more about Cross Cabin ›
The Perch by Nicole Blair
Weathering steel panels clad the exterior of this house extension, which was perched upon a roof to save room in the backyard of a residence.
“Situated two feet above an existing bungalow, The Perch is a novel solution to a mundane project type, whose solution celebrates the bungalow below by setting itself back from it and hovering near it without disrupting it,” said Austin architect Nicole Blair.
Find out more about The Perch ›
Falcon Ledge Residence by Alterstudio
Built on an urban site once overlooked “as a possible home site”, the Falcon Ledge Residence rises up vertically to accommodate its steep, wooded terrain.
Spanning three storeys, the top level contains the living room and kitchen, while bedrooms, a family room and a laundry room were dispersed throughout the bottom floors.
Greenbelt Residence by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
Limestone brick and hemlock siding clad this 3,447-square-foot (320-square metre) house that overlooks a protected nature reserve.
It features a generous cantilever that protects an outdoor patio, while bricks were fabricated specifically for its intricate facade.
Find out more about Greenbelt Residence ›
Cliffside House by LaRue Architects
This lake house is clad in patinated copper, limestone and oak to give it a “living finish”.
Sited on a bluff overlooking Lake Austin that was once home to a 1950s cabin, LaRue Architects wove the house through mature oak trees on the property.
Find out more about Cliffside house ›
Caddy Shack by Olson Kundig
Built for a retired golfer, this house is clad in rusted steel and features cantilevered patios that overlook downtown Austin.
In the living room, a hand-operated wheel controls a moveable window, which slides down level with a guardrail to open the room to the elements.
Find out more about Caddy Shack ›
