For Its 35th Year, The AIA Austin Homes Tour Goes Hybrid — Creating An Immersive and Fascinating Event
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ÖOn Friday, October 15, the first Hybrid-AIA Austin Homes Tour started with virtual and personal experiences. From a breathtaking Clarksville high up on West 10th Street to an “Inverse House” on Davenport Ranch, the tour was an exciting way to see both Austin’s historical riches and new ways in which architects and homeowners deal with light, structure, sustainability and play opportunities.
The online sessions on Friday and Sunday were fascinating and gave viewers a chance to ask architects specific questions (Q: What’s in that fireplace on the porch? A: Ceramic balls … it was an experiment but the owners love it them!) and enabled architects to showcase the past and future projects. I particularly enjoyed April Clark’s visual presentation of how her clients’ art collections affect the way she designs their homes. Although I feared the online sessions would feel distant, they actually gave me a deeper, more meaningful impression of the architects at work than just wandering through a structure like I had done in previous years.
On Saturday, however, it was pure joy to wake up on a rare, fresh autumn morning and visit the three very different personal home tours with a cup of coffee in hand. I had a long conversation with Indoor Weather Professionals about HVAC systems and house generators; speak to a Pella window expert; and pausing in the most amazing bathroom I’ve ever seen to fantasize about one day taking a bubble bath and looking at both the Texas stars and the Texas State Capitol.
Read on to find out more must-see Austin architecture.
The Clarksville home was designed by LaRue Architecture and has breathtaking views of downtown Austin. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)
Clarksville Residence | Personal & virtual
architect: LaRue Architects
area: Clarksville
In addition to containing the bathtub of my dreams, this home retains the original facade of a historic Clarksville home and transforms into a modern masterpiece just behind the entrance rooms to reveal breathtaking views of downtown Austin. To me, this house felt like Austin in both the past and the present. (It even includes a wall of life magazine covers that were found in the original home.) I loved it so much that I called my eldest son and got him to rush immediately to let us know every time we go up Stop down Lamar Boulevard for Fresas Tacos, watch upstairs in this house and dream.
The Residence Exposition was built in Tarrytown in 1939. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)
Exhibition residence | Only virtually
architect: Brian Dillard Architecture
area: Tarrytown
This 1939 stone house has been modernized with a modern extension that surrounds the courtyard and pool. A new stone cabana and a covered seating area invite you to relax outdoors.
A Clearview residence offers energy efficiency and hidden gardens. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)
Clearview Residence | Only virtually
architect: Weber + Studio Architects
area: Tarrytown
The outer “sun protection aluminum skin” and rain protection installation increase the energy efficiency in this house, and I loved the secret garden under the pool deck on the main level.
The Oak Creek Home’s kitchen is cozy and modern. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)
Oak Creek Court Residence | Only virtually
architect: Furman + Keil Architects
area: West Austin
A sinuous, curved staircase is the focus of this single family home and oversized windows open to a back yard full of oak trees.
The Ramsey residence has a lovely outdoor area and fireplace. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)
Ramsey Residence | Personal & virtual
architect: Clark Richardson Architects
area: Rosedale
This home was inspired by the owner’s art collection. A south-lit gallery of ceilings windows (windows in walls above eye level) connects the public area and the private area of the house.
A huge screened porch connected to the main living room (and featuring a fireplace with ceramic balls) was the star of this stunning Rollingwood home. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)
Rollingwood Residence | Only virtually
architect: Lake | Flato Architects
area: Rolling wood
A huge screened porch connected to the main living room (and featuring a fireplace with ceramic balls) was the star of this stunning Rollingwood home. The floating gable roof follows the slope of the land and leads the view down the hill to a dry stream, private meeting rooms and an amphitheater.
Skylights allow the Inverse House to be filled with light and color. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)
Inverse house | Personal & virtual
architect: Matt Fajkus architecture
area: Davenport Ranch
The guests enter this house in the public space: a light-flooded kitchen and a living room. Reverse expectations, the private areas are on the ground floor. Skylights made it possible to fill the house with changing colors.
The Lean On Me House tries to bring the outside inside. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)
Lean on me house | Only virtually
architect: North Arrow Studio
area: Barton Creek Habitat
It was a pleasure to hear Francisco Arrendondo speak about this project that seeks to “bring the outside inside” and “blur the line between inside and outside” with a stacked house on top of a hill.
The owners of this River Ranch home (on seven acres) were inspired by the movie Out of Africa. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)
River ranch | Only virtually
architect: Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects
area: Cedar Creek
The owners of this home (on seven acres) were inspired by the movie Out of Africa. The resulting architecture, which includes large living areas and scaled porches, allows them to blend in with the natural surroundings.
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