The homeowners purchased their 1970’s ranch home situated on a rural 2-acre lot and decided to renovate– rather than tear it down for a new build.
They hired Austin award winning architecture firm Side Angle Side to begin the process of the intense renovation in 2021. The homeowners remained on the property -- living in a yurt -- throughout the entire renovation which included the epic polar vortex that shut down much of Texas for days. They learned from the experience that ‘living off the grid’ had enabled them to endure any type of inclement weather pattern (hurricanes and all) that Texas brings. This inspired them to design their new home to be off the grid ready. Architects Annie-Laurie Gabriel and Arthur Furman included these capabilities in the home’s design including solar panels, Tesla batteries, and more, in addition to a beautiful new remodeled ranch home (completed in 2023). Details are below. Thank you so much! Kris Ferraro
A choppy 1970’s ranch becomes a spacious energy efficient home with earthy finishes and mod furnishings for an Austin couple.
Austin award winning architecture firm Side Angle Side’s renovation of a 1970’s ranch involved converting a choppy four-bedroom floor plan into a spacious, open, one bedroom home for a couple that loves to entertain.
“The goal of the project was to create a home that is better suited the homeowners’ lifestyle, while also improving the overall energy efficiency of the property,” says Arthur Furman, founding principal, Side Angle Side.
At 2,315 square feet, the result is an open and lofty space filled with natural light from multiple skylights straddling the vaulted ridge. A long screened-in porch runs along the back of the house and expands the living space when the large glass sliding doors are fully retracted. The architects opened the ceiling to expose the vaulted roofline.
Throughout the two-year construction process, the homeowners lived on the property in a yurt, even during the 2021 polar vortex storm. This experience inspired them to go fully off the grid, adding solar panels, Tesla backup batteries, and rainwater collection to the property in case of future power outages. Thanks to these upgrades, the homeowners were able to go off-grid during the recent ice storm that knocked out power in their neighborhood. This innovative solution provided them with a reliable source of energy, even when the rest of the community was left in the dark.
The home’s concrete floors were finished with a Micro topping slab utilizing an integral custom color selected by the clients. The kitchen features soapstone counters and backsplash, the adjacent large butlers pantry was remodeled from the original space. The den was converted from a small bedroom, the living room was reimagined from the original small living room, plus the foyer and a small bathroom. The primary bathroom spills out to a private trellised patio. The yurt (pictured right) is now used for visiting guests.
The homeowners had a great collection of midcentury pieces and art, the architects worked with the furnishings to make sure they fit in the plan.
Team:
Architects: Side Angle Side, Arthur Furman, John Redington
Builder: PB Construction
Photos: Casey Dunn
