A new home often marks a new chapter in life—and this was particularly true for an empty-nester Austin couple who had recently married. Both have grown children, and the couple wanted to live closer to downtown in a walkable neighborhood.

As they searched for a site on which to build their new residence, they came across the home of architect Miguel Rivera, principal at Miró Rivera Architects. His restored 1917 bungalow is set on a deep lot with a modern addition—and the couple fell in love with the concept. “Together, we started looking for a site with similar potential,” says Rivera. “We found it just a few blocks from my own house.”

The craftsman-style bungalow was built in the 1910s, and it’s located in the West Line Historic District, one of Austin’s oldest neighborhoods. “Frankly, the original home was in terrible shape,” says Rivera. “It had been abandoned for several years and seemed to have been forgotten by time. The exterior was in complete disrepair, the yard was overgrown, the foundation was crooked, and the interiors were falling apart.”

Despite these challenges, both clients and architect wanted to restore the house rather than tear it down. So, they found a general contractor with experience in historic preservation and restoration and got to work.

Before: Exterior

Aside from the basic requirements—bedrooms, a kitchen, and living spaces—the clients sought a strong connection to the landscape, and the ability to open up the main living spaces to the outdoors in good weather. They also requested lots of natural light, wall space to display several large contemporary artworks, and a painting studio. “The clients were true partners in the process of designing the home,” says Rivera. “They were curious about every detail in a way that was both refreshing and gratifying.”

After: Exterior

The restoration of the existing bungalow was far from straightforward, and it took three years to complete. “The owners deserve credit for committing to that effort, as without it we could not have saved the original house,” says Rivera. “Most clients would have simply chosen to demolish the old structure and start from scratch.”

From the street, there is no indication that the restored home is anything other than a traditional bungalow. Every detail—from the single-pane wood windows to the paint color—respects the character of the historic district.

Before: Office

The home is essentially divided into two parts. The original bungalow at the front contains spaces that aren’t used by the clients every day, including a home office, two guest bedrooms, and a media room. A contemporary U-shaped addition at the rear features the main living spaces, master bedroom suite, kitchen, and a painting studio. “The center of gravity for the clients’ daily life has shifted to the courtyard, while the original bungalow now contains secondary spaces,” explains Rivera.

After: Office

The restored interior stays true to the original material palette with white drywall and original wood millwork—such as the Tuscan columns in the home office. The design team also refurbished the single-pane windows facing the street, which feature delicate wood tracery in the form of Gothic arches.

“We chose to preserve these elements because it was important to recognize the home’s legacy of craftsmanship, even as we put our own stamp on the rest of the site,” says Rivera.

Before: Guest Room

The existing bedrooms in the bungalow have been converted into guest quarters—one with an attached bath. Separating the guest spaces into the bungalow at the front of the home provides additional privacy for both guests and the homeowners.

After: Guest Room

Before: Hall

After: Hall and Bridge

The restored bungalow is connected to the more contemporary addition by a “bridge,” that runs off the original home’s central gallery and creates a very clear divide. The timber floor of the renovated bungalow gives way to sleek grey tiles in the new build, and the open-plan living area, which features floor-t0-ceiling glass, feels expansive in contrast to the smaller, more intimate rooms of the bungalow.

“There are, however, moments where the renovation and addition bleed together,” says Rivera. Take, for example, the modern ceiling fans and uplights in the bungalow, or the longleaf pine floors used for the painting studio in the addition that echo the material palette of the original home.

After: Dining Room, Living Room, and Kitchen

The bridge leads to the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen space, which connects to the large central courtyard through expansive glass doors. The kitchen is arranged around a generous island, and the main sink faces the courtyard through a wall of glass. A door to one side leads to a small outdoor patio with space for grilling and outdoor dining.

Before: Rear Yard

The landscape design was also a significant challenge. The new home has five yards—the front yard, three courtyards, and a side yard—and it was essential that each have their own distinct character while still relating to each other. “We have worked with the landscape architect Christine Ten Eyck on several projects, and she always brings great ideas to the table,” says Rivera. “She embraced the challenge and understood how important the landscape was to the experience of the house.”

After: Courtyard

The central courtyard is the largest outdoor space, and can be directly accessed from the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom. “The idea here was that from inside, the courtyard feels like part of the house,” says Rivera. The landscape in the courtyard is more organic, with ornamental trees, a water fountain, and built-in seating.

After: Painting Studio

Shop the Look

One of the clients is a passionate painter, so the brief called for an art studio. The large, light-filled space is located in the northern corner of the u-shaped addition, and it’s accessed through a seven-foot-wide pocket door.

“The painting studio is a very special space,” says Rivera. “It feels both modern and rustic, with a combination of steel windows, reclaimed wood floors, and a 12-foot-high ceiling with exposed wood trusses.”

After: Master Bedroom

The master suite is located across the hall from the painting studio, and connects to a more structured yard with four fig trees framed by gabion walls and dense foliage. “This landscape was designed for contemplation from the bedroom, or the soaking tub in the bathroom,” says Rivera. “There is also an outdoor shower—one of our favorite features to include in residential projects—that is an extension of the master bath.”

“As an architecture studio, we are always interested in addressing ‘bigger picture’ questions,” says Rivera. “This project gave us the opportunity to explore the tension that occurs between those who want to preserve existing neighborhoods exactly as they are, and those who want to increase their density. We see this as an example of exactly what the city needs more of—a project that preserves the best parts of a historic neighborhood, while making it livable in the 21st century.”

Related Reading:

These Courtyards Bring Indoor/Outdoor Living to 10 Modern Homes

A Breathtaking Austin Home Weaves Around Oak and Pecan Trees

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Miró Rivera Architects / @miroriveraarch

Builder: J Pinnelli Company

Structural Engineer: Smith Structural Engineers

Landscape Design: Ten Eyck Landscape Architects

Lighting Design: ArcLight Design

Interior Design: Rachel Mast Design

Sound Engineer: Macauley Technologies

Kitchen Cabinets: Arete European Kitchens

Mechanical Engineer: Positive Energy

Photography: Sebastian Schutyser, Paul Finkel | Piston Design, Miró Rivera Architects