AIA Austin’s Annual Homes Tour Uncovers the City’s Best New Residences. Here’s Every Stop
Austin, Texas, is one of the best places to see emerging ideas in home design, whether a 3D-printed ranch-style home by local tech company Icon, or a clever solution to housing density that brings three living units under one roof.
That's why Dwell is excited to be a media partner helping to promote the Annual AIA Austin Homes Tour. Now in its 37th year, the event takes place October 28 and 29, will highlight a mix of new builds and renovations across the city by top local talent, all of them offering a fresh perspective.
"There are some serious firsts on this tour," says AIA Austin’s executive director, Ingrid Spencer, one of which includes a home built entirely of plant-based materials, and a 660-square-foot cantilevered studio that is one of the smallest structures in the tour’s history.
As with years past, the tour will showcase the city’s wide range of residential styles and scales, along with new, sustainable ideas. "By experiencing these private spaces, I hope people understand the work architects do to enhance lives and what they themselves could have if they hired an architect to design their own house," says Spencer. "Architecture is highly collaborative, and this tour puts that at the forefront."
Below, get a sneak peak at the nine homes included on this year’s tour.
Kinney Residence by Franke : Franke
Tucked into the leafy heart of Austin’s Zilker neighborhood, this 3,170-square-foot home by Franke : Franke overlooks a wide urban stream and striking ravine. A row of windows, positioned along the home’s central spine, brings in light and fresh air, while private bedrooms have access to water views, thereby immersing residents in the site’s natural surroundings.
Hood House by Murray Legge Architecture
Old meets new at this residence in West Lake Hills. Murray Legge Architecture took an existing midcentury home and integrated a two-story addition, both of which frame an intimate backyard with a newly constructed pool. Sustainable elements, including solar panels and a rainwater collection system, were central to the design.
Ledgeway Modern by McCollum Studio Architects
This 5,665-square-foot property by McCollum Studio Architects seamlessly blends contemporary living with natural beauty. Built on a serene hillside with unspoiled views, it utilizes an open-plan living space to maximize natural light and create a spacious, inviting atmosphere. Furthermore, the home collects rainfall and harnesses solar energy, underscoring the owner’s commitment to sustainability.
Falling Leaves House by Bercy Chen Studio
Bound by the four elements of nature—earth, wind, water, and fire—the Falling Leaves House by Bercy Chen Studio is a tree house–like sanctuary for one young family, along with the surrounding habitat of cedars, oaks, mule deer, and the endangered golden-cheeked Warbler. Inspired by the shapes and curled edges of falling oak leaves, the compound’s sheltering roofs and glass pavilions cascade into the landscape.
Foothill Terrace by Furman + Keil Architects
Originally featured on the tour in 2002, the Foothill Terrace residence marks another first for the 2023 event. "As far as I know we have never brought back a house from the past and featured it again," says Spencer. The home, which has been remodeled and expanded by Furman + Keil Architects, is a blend of historic and contemporary styles, woven together by architectural legacies, including the renowned Roland Roessner.
Descendant House by Matt Fajkus Architecture
This generational family compound, designed by Matt Fajkus Architecture, encompasses three distinct units for grandparents, parents, and children. Made of masonry, wood, glass, and stucco, the units converge in shared cooking and gathering areas, thereby showcasing the power of architecture to facilitate a harmonious blend of privacy and coexistence.
Shoalwood Residence by Sarah Bullock McIntyre Architect
Architect Sarah Bullock McIntyre worked with the homeowner—whom she first befriended in college—to reimagine this pier and beam cottage in Rosedale. The 2,238-square-foot property boasts a thoughtful, light-filled layout with minimalist "hygge" detailing, a low-sloped gable roof, and a perched front porch. Altogether, the residence serves as a testament to the benefits of homeowners and architects working in unison to realize a shared vision.
Cross Cabin by Moontower Design Build
This two-bedroom, two-bathroom home is the brainchild of homeowner Greg Esparza, in collaboration with Moontower. The 1,000-square-foot dwelling was built entirely from plant-based materials, including cross laminated timber panels and thermally modified cork, resulting in a space that looks, smells, and even sounds totally unique.
The Perch by Nicole Blair
One of the smallest homes on record for the AIA Austin Homes Tour, this 660-square-foot studio space was built from corrugated Cor-Ten steel with a cantilevered construction that was designed to fit above the existing roofline, while preserving the backyard.
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