FAMILY STUDIO

When our clients purchased this 1953 brick house along Shoal Creek, they knew it could meet the needs of their small family beautifully, even in its vintage state. However, they daydreamed of an additional studio space that could host their homeschooling needs: a multi-purpose room that could be used for making music, drawing, holiday crafting.

  • We designed a simple gabled-roof extension, with the north eave flipped up into a butterfly shape to allow clerestory windows along the side yard. This brings in light from up high while allowing privacy between houses. Similarly, the west window is set at a low height to focus the view down toward the creek rather than across to a neighbor’s property.

    We wanted to encourage the truly messy and destructive nature of creativity, so the desk, stairs and floor are all poured out of concrete.   Two portholes, built using steel pipe sections and cut glass, peek out to the outdoor shower and bring light along the concrete desk surface.

    PROJECT TEAM:

    ARCHITECTURE BY Rick & Cindy Black Architects; GENERAL CONTRACTOR Davenport Builders; PHOTOGRAPHY BY Whit Preston

Austin architecture. Mid-century Modern Interior view of a modern house with white walls, green doors and window frames, concrete and wood wall accents, and a staircase. There are chairs, a globe, electronic devices, and musical instruments inside.
Interior view of a minimalist homes entryway with white walls and ceiling, green door and window frames, concrete steps, and a small desk with a globe and a calendar.
Bright interior room with white walls and ceiling, large window with outdoor trees, potted plant, two hanging globe lights, and green bean bag chairs on the floor.
Room with a child's play area, musical instruments, a desk, chairs, large potted plant, and modern decor.
A wooden-walled room with a small window showing trees outside, a drum set, and a storage cart with various items.
Close-up view of a modern house corner with black metal siding, large windows, extended white roof, and concrete beam, under a blue sky with clouds.
kitchens