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Project posted by Tim Derrington

Architect's Studio

View 20 Photos
Location
Texas
Year
2023
Structure
Office
Style
Modern
The deep front porch extends the studio’s small footprint, creating a shaded threshold between interior and garden. A raised planter integrates soft landscaping with the building’s corrugated Galvalume exterior.
The deep front porch extends the studio’s small footprint, creating a shaded threshold between interior and garden. A raised planter integrates soft landscaping with the building’s corrugated Galvalume exterior.
From the kitchenette, a view opens to the main work area where exposed wood framing and daylight define the space. The contrast between deep blue cabinetry and raw wood underscores the studio’s balance of refinement and honesty—while Michael, ever the pensive architect, tries not to giggle as we tell knock knock jokes during the photo shoot.
From the kitchenette, a view opens to the main work area where exposed wood framing and daylight define the space. The contrast between deep blue cabinetry and raw wood underscores the studio’s balance of refinement and honesty—while Michael, ever the pensive architect, tries not to giggle as we tell knock knock jokes during the photo shoot.
The porch’s exposed wood ceiling and galvanized fence-post columns embody the project’s ethos of using straightforward, readily available materials. The planter at the edge frames the entry and softens the transition from gravel drive to interior.
The porch’s exposed wood ceiling and galvanized fence-post columns embody the project’s ethos of using straightforward, readily available materials. The planter at the edge frames the entry and softens the transition from gravel drive to interior.
The compact kitchenette combines deep blue cabinetry and quartz counters, echoing the project’s balance of raw and refined materials. Wood framing remains visible above, reinforcing the studio’s honest construction approach.
The compact kitchenette combines deep blue cabinetry and quartz counters, echoing the project’s balance of raw and refined materials. Wood framing remains visible above, reinforcing the studio’s honest construction approach.
Viewed from the street, the studio’s simple gable form and corrugated siding echo the modest mid-century homes of Montopolis. A low concrete planter defines the edge of the property, providing privacy while maintaining an open connection to the neighborhood.
Viewed from the street, the studio’s simple gable form and corrugated siding echo the modest mid-century homes of Montopolis. A low concrete planter defines the edge of the property, providing privacy while maintaining an open connection to the neighborhood.
The porch canopy is framed with exposed wood and supported by galvanized fence posts sourced from a local feed store—an economical, readily available material choice. Together with the corrugated siding, concrete steps, and low planter, these elements form a welcoming and straightforward entry sequence.
The porch canopy is framed with exposed wood and supported by galvanized fence posts sourced from a local feed store—an economical, readily available material choice. Together with the corrugated siding, concrete steps, and low planter, these elements form a welcoming and straightforward entry sequence.
Early morning light casts tree shadows across the Galvalume siding, emphasizing its subtle texture and connection to the site. The exterior cladding’s durability and reflectivity make it both practical for Texas heat and evocative of rural vernacular buildings.
Early morning light casts tree shadows across the Galvalume siding, emphasizing its subtle texture and connection to the site. The exterior cladding’s durability and reflectivity make it both practical for Texas heat and evocative of rural vernacular buildings.
From the neighbor’s yard, the studio’s modest profile and simple gable form blend into the residential fabric. The porch and gravel yard create a soft, open edge that reinforces the project’s connection to its Montopolis context.
From the neighbor’s yard, the studio’s modest profile and simple gable form blend into the residential fabric. The porch and gravel yard create a soft, open edge that reinforces the project’s connection to its Montopolis context.
A open air hallway between two corrugated volumes creates a framed view toward the street and garden. The exposed wood roof structure and minimal detailing highlight the building’s straightforward construction approach.
A open air hallway between two corrugated volumes creates a framed view toward the street and garden. The exposed wood roof structure and minimal detailing highlight the building’s straightforward construction approach.
Inside, exposed wood framing and built-in shelving create a warm, textured backdrop for the meeting room. Simple furnishings and natural light reinforce the project’s commitment to raw materials and straightforward construction.
Inside, exposed wood framing and built-in shelving create a warm, textured backdrop for the meeting room. Simple furnishings and natural light reinforce the project’s commitment to raw materials and straightforward construction.
Exposed stud walls and roof framing give the interior a sense of clarity and craft. The straightforward detailing turns common construction materials into the primary finish, echoing the studio’s philosophy of honest expression.
Exposed stud walls and roof framing give the interior a sense of clarity and craft. The straightforward detailing turns common construction materials into the primary finish, echoing the studio’s philosophy of honest expression.
The kitchenette pairs deep blue cabinetry with a quartz backsplash, introducing a refined counterpoint to the otherwise raw wood interior. Tall storage integrates an all-in-one washer/dryer and maximizes the compact footprint’s utility.
The kitchenette pairs deep blue cabinetry with a quartz backsplash, introducing a refined counterpoint to the otherwise raw wood interior. Tall storage integrates an all-in-one washer/dryer and maximizes the compact footprint’s utility.
The main workspace is lined with built-in shelving and bathed in natural light. Exposed rafters and studs celebrate standard stick-frame construction, transforming familiar materials into the defining character of the interior.
The main workspace is lined with built-in shelving and bathed in natural light. Exposed rafters and studs celebrate standard stick-frame construction, transforming familiar materials into the defining character of the interior.
Large windows bring daylight deep into the workroom, while exposed wood structure offers both visual warmth and a constant reminder of the building’s construction logic. The long table supports collaborative design work in a compact footprint.
Large windows bring daylight deep into the workroom, while exposed wood structure offers both visual warmth and a constant reminder of the building’s construction logic. The long table supports collaborative design work in a compact footprint.
The work table anchors the open workroom, with built-in shelving on one side and a deep blue feature wall on the other. This color, repeated in the kitchenette cabinetry, adds contrast and focus within the otherwise raw wood interior.
The work table anchors the open workroom, with built-in shelving on one side and a deep blue feature wall on the other. This color, repeated in the kitchenette cabinetry, adds contrast and focus within the otherwise raw wood interior.
An outdoor sink tucked beneath the porch roof serves both practical and informal uses, from gardening to cleanup. White tile, exposed wood, and corrugated siding continue the project’s material palette of straightforward, durable finishes.
An outdoor sink tucked beneath the porch roof serves both practical and informal uses, from gardening to cleanup. White tile, exposed wood, and corrugated siding continue the project’s material palette of straightforward, durable finishes.
A skylight draws daylight deep into the workspace, illuminating the raw wood structure and built-in shelving. The casual presence of plants, books, and even the studio dog reflects the building’s approachable scale and lived-in comfort.
A skylight draws daylight deep into the workspace, illuminating the raw wood structure and built-in shelving. The casual presence of plants, books, and even the studio dog reflects the building’s approachable scale and lived-in comfort.
Built-in 2x10 shelving houses books, personal mementos, and plants, softening the raw structure and revealing how the space balances professional function with everyday warmth.
Built-in 2x10 shelving houses books, personal mementos, and plants, softening the raw structure and revealing how the space balances professional function with everyday warmth.

Credits

Posted by
Architect
Derrington Building Studio
Interior Design
Derrington Building Studio
Landscape Design
Derrington Building Studio
Builder
Derrington Building Studio
Photographer

From Tim Derrington

In Austin’s Montopolis neighborhood, Derrington Building Studio built its own home base: a compact 1,000-square-foot structure that quietly blends into a modest mid-century residential fabric. Designed and constructed entirely by the studio, the building reflects a philosophy of finding elegance in constraint and meaning in raw, honest materials.

The studio’s dual purpose shaped every decision. It serves as a professional workspace today, with two main rooms, a bathroom, and a kitchenette organized for efficient daily use, but it was conceived to transition easily into a residence in the future. A deep porch, covered outdoor sink, and integrated raised flower bed extend daily life outside, framing the small structure with approachable gestures that connect to both garden and street.

Rather than rely on typical cavity-wall construction, the project turns conventional practice inside out. By insulating the exterior with polyiso panels, the interior framing remains fully exposed—a deliberate move that transforms structure into finish. This strategy reduces hidden maintenance issues, encourages direct engagement with the building’s anatomy, and creates interiors inspired by Japanese, Scandinavian, and Alpine timber traditions, filtered through American industrial pragmatism. Every screw, nail, and plywood panel is considered, visible, and celebrated.

The exterior is clad in Galvalume siding, chosen as much for performance as cultural resonance. Durable and low-maintenance, it reflects Texas heat while recalling rural vernacular buildings across the state. The form—a simple gable—mirrors the scale of neighboring houses built between the 1950s and 1970s, allowing the studio to sit comfortably among them without pretense.

The result is a modest building that feels both timeless and specific, balancing practicality and quiet beauty. For Derrington Building Studio, this project embodies their guiding principle: a path of less resistance. Not less effort, but less friction—an approach where honest materials and thoughtful restraint lead to architecture that’s enduring, adaptable, and deeply rooted in its place.