This won my vote at least. Note to self… before building a new home… purchase a horribly difficult lot in a great neighborhood and consult Tim Cuppett to do the unthinkable. Here’s Tim’s take of the project from his website.

“This house sits on a heavily wooded lot that was deemed too constricted by an easement to be suitable for construction; but that feature mandated the very beauty of the place. In response to these constraints, the house is narrow and deep. A high, wide overhang supported on slender columns creates shading while a sun protecting wooden brise-soleil on the West side screens the house. Both features meld the structure into its context of trees and vegetation in the natural undisturbed easement. With the exception of some limestone walls, exterior materials were chosen to disappear into the landscape.

The house is Modern but warm because of the raw materials and colors used. There is only a thin veil of separation from inside to outside and every room features windows on multiple sides.”

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

If you’re not headed out to the Red River Shootout this weekend, I highly recommend buying a ticket to the 22nd Annual AIA Austin Homes Tour. This isn’t your typical run of the mill Saturday open-house-marathon… these homes aren’t for sale, yet. This is a two day self-guided tour that showcases the work of Austin’s most sophisticated and forward thinking architects, interior designers, craftsmen and material suppliers.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration for home improvement ideas, or searching for a professional designer at the top of their game, or simply out to get your fix of refreshing design, you won’t be disappointed. What I really like about the tour is that you get to engage and talk to almost everyone that has a stake in the homes (architect, builder, interior designer, homeowner, etc.). However, keep an eye out for competing architects on the tour as well, they’re usually the ones sneaking from house to house sneering as they go… very funny to watch.  

When you purchase your ticket, you’ll receive a brochure with a small map of the tour and more detailed information regarding each home. In the meantime, for my fellow design enthusiasts, I attached a pdf version for you to plan your trip ahead of time. Also, here are few tips to chew on:

1. Start backwards.The homes at the beginning of the tour can get really crowded at the start of the day. I recommend starting at home #11 on the list and work your way backwards. Or pick one in the middle and go from there.

2. Don’t rush it. Photography is prohibited on the tour, so take your time and enjoy the designs. Also, take a note pad to capture a few ideas from each house.  

3. Look deeper. If you’re looking for ideas to implement in  your own home before you sell it, absorb as much as you can about the design and construction materials used, but also take note of the more subtle qualities in each home. How does the landscaping make you feel when you approach the front door. How does it compare to your home’s curb appeal? What about lighting and colors used? How do the lighting and colors make you feel when you enter each particular room? Buyer’s are always attentive to the subtle features of a home and if you’re thinking about selling, you should be too.

 HOMES TOUR MAP

11 homes were exclusively selected for this year’s tour. This year my wife and I are helping David Manning and his team docent the house on Turkey Creek Drive on Saturday. Hope to see you there! Here are the featured architects and their respective works:

• Antenora Architects – 1404 Garner Ave.

• Stephen Zagorski – 2603 west 49th St.

• Barley & Pfeiffer Architects - 2100 Stamford Ln.

• The Lawrence Group Architects – 2307 McCullough

• Tim Cuppett – 1200 Barton Creek Blvd, Watersmark, Lot 12

• Dick Clark Architecture – 5431 Tortuga Trl.

• Urban Jobe – 909 Post Oak

• David Manning Architecture – 4312 Turkey Creek Dr.

• Hugh Jefferson Randolph – 2801 Greenlee Dr.

• Webber + Studio – 1312 Hurst Hollow

• Merzbau Design Collective - 2101 De Verne St.

TICKET INFO: $25 in advance; $30 at the door

Austin Center for Architecture

801 W. 12th St.

512/452.4332

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::