When two parents together with nine kids needed a home base in Austin, Texas, they decided to create their very own. They scooped up a double lot in up-and-coming East Austin and hired architect and builder Finn Sigurdsson, an undercover transplant and owner of the design-build firm ísARK Studio. Working collectively, Sigurdsson as well as the clients created a master plan full with different units that the children could potentially rent from them since their lifestyles changed along with their families grew. The plans also look to the long run, maintaining appeal for nonfamily tenants and prospective resale in your mind.
The master program is for a small development that will include two duplexes, a single-family residence and a small cabin. “With the people of Austin expanding, it is logical to create more compact home,” says project manager Taryn Hall. “Though the family tends toward more conventional style, we designed a style we like to predict urban ranch. We believe it fits in with the diverse and edgy neighborhood, and concentrated on a design for those units that might be easily leased and/or sold later on.”
in a Glance
Who lives here: One of those grown sons, his wife and four children lease 1 duplex; one of those daughters, a nursing school student, and a number of her friends rent the other.
Location: Central East Austin, Texas
Size:Unit A:1,875 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths; unit B:1,650 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 baths; about 1,050 square feet of constructed outdoor spaces. Other units are still in the planning stages.
ísARK Studio
Saving existing trees on the lot was a priority. “We assembled the units on piers instead of a poured slab from sensitivity toward the environment,” project manager Hall states. The units adopt the trees as part of the plan, which provides them a tree house feel.
ísARK Studio
Sigurdsson’s Icelandic upbringing influenced his approach to the design. “Trees are extremely scarce in Iceland, so wood is something that’s often used sparingly,” he states.
Slats of natural cedar round a terrace and cedar overhangs deliver much-needed shade from the hot Texas sun. “I pushed for a modern element with all the raw stucco but utilized the cedar to stitch together the modern elements with the more conventional Craftsman features,” he states. “I really enjoy the warmth it brings to the duplex contrary to the cool stucco.”
ísARK Studio
Elements were prioritized by Sigurdsson. Saving the trees left a natural canopy that shades the home. Each of the windows are designed to let in the best amount of natural lighting without letting the sun overheat the rooms. The windows have dual panes and are filled with argon gas, which helps to keep the indoors cool. The siding is high heeled insulated stucco. The insulating material is spray-foam Icynene that also can help maintain the cool atmosphere.
ísARK Studio
A system that contains rain chains and French drains catches the water, which is then distributed underground to the trees and also designated garden areas. “We xeriscaped as much as you can, then directed the water we can gather to designated spots,” Hall says.
ísARK Studio
By way of example, this concrete planter receives runoff water through the underground system.
ísARK Studio
Decks and balconies provide outdoor spaces.
Siding: smooth Hardie board and batten in Boothbay Blue and Smooth Hardie board lap siding in Heathered Moss
ísARK Studio
On the terrace, the cedar slats let in the breeze along with a few sunlight while providing privacy from the shared outdoor spaces.
ísARK Studio
The residents share a central lawn planted with zoysia grass. “This grass can tolerate wide variations in temperature, sun and moisture,” Hall says.
ísARK Studio
We’ll have a peek inside unit A, where the family of six lives. An open plan makes the living spaces feel larger. “We tried to design an area that has been as flexible as you can, so it would interest a wide range of people later on for renting or resale,” Hall says.
“On the inside I did away with ornamentation and tried to keep it compact,” Sigurdsson states. “Craftsman homes traditionally have a lot of trimming; we opted to remove all the trimming, but the wood seats, shelves and Shaker-style cabinets help make the house a available and flexible palette to your future.”
Paint: Repose Gray, Sherwin-Williams
ísARK Studio
“We had a great deal of voices throwing out thoughts, which was intriguing and challenging,” Hall says. For instance, the family of six desired an eat-in kitchen where they might gather for meals, therefore Sigurdsson created this high-top table/kitchen island. “This is a huge family centre point which truly functions as the heart of the house,” he states.
A clever alder footrest detail on the island offers extra storage space in the column and a favorite resting place for your cat.
Chandelier, pendants, Alexandra brushed nickel, Thomas Lighting
ísARK Studio
ísARK Studio
Everything in the kitchen has been customized to satisfy with the family’s requirements while retaining prospective tenants and owners in mind. “The adult son lived in Japan while operating the military for many decades, also had a great deal of china he’d brought back and wished to exhibit, so we integrated glass cupboard doors,” Hall says.
In addition they took up the cabinets to the 10-foot-high ceilings for maximum storage.
Cabinets: custom designed by ísARK Studio, constructed by Dovetail Woodworking
ísARK Studio
Windows looking out into the tree decoration give the house a tree home feel.
Tile: Anatolia glass tile, Bliss Linear Mosaic 5/8 inch, Iceland AC35-016
ísARK Studio
The owner also has a ranch in Bellville, Texas. When some trees there needed to return, Sigurdsson reclaimed the wood for shelves at the Austin units. He cut, planed and installed the bits on custom brackets. This is only one of numerous advantages of hiring an architect who’s also a builder and proficient carpenter.
ísARK Studio
In the living area, Sigurdsson mounted a long live-edge press shelf.
ísARK Studio
ísARK Studio
“We kept the baths small in order to maximize the living spaces and bedrooms,” Hall says. Sigurdsson designed this customized sink unit to make the most of the small space and include architectural interest. It’s a waterfall faucet.
Faucet: Pfister Kenzo
ísARK Studio
The group picked a waterfall faucet to the master bathroom as well. The countertops and sink are travertine.
The clients scored the tile, countertop and sink auction, which reduce some prices. The custom vanity is alder wood with a dark walnut stain, and also the doorway to the bathroom is a barn doorway.
ísARK Studio
The master bath comprises everything the couple wanted, including a soaking tub. A high, broad window lets in the natural light.
Here’s the first-floor plan with this unit.
And here is your second-floor plan.
Whether family members occupy the units, rent them out or wind up selling them off in the years ahead, they’re incorporating smart home alternatives and fostering a sense of community in East Austin.