Dynamic Design/Build Team Meeting Austin’s Demands

Words by Christopher Ferguson, AIA Photos by Chase Daniel

With the recent completion of E2211, Ravel Architecture has raised the bar for what buyers can expect in Austin’s red-hot housing market. Their goal in this project is to showcase that good architects can build quality homes and can also be thoughtful developers in the process.

Defined by its clean lines, careful siting, and daylight-infused interiors, this home has all the markings of a refreshingly bold and highly custom contemporary design that Austin residents would expect from a custom build.

Airy and transparent, the two-story glass and stucco volume is set back and separated from the street by a high, cast-in-place concrete wall and crisp, blackened steel gates. A large, xeriscape garden doubles as both a front yard and entry promenade, affording the home additional privacy while maximizing the outdoor space available on the lot.

Spilling into the garden is a generous double height living, dining, and working space bookended by expansive north and south facing windows and a broad overhead skylight. “There’s a sundial type of effect inside the home throughout the day. You end up moving with the light as the interior forms guide your circulation,” says Alex Finnell, AIA, of Ravel Architecture, who designed and developed the property.

The home’s plan is bisected by a straight stair, separating the public and private areas. In addition to the sunny main atrium, the efficiently planned layout features three modest bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a semi-connected kitchen with built-in appliances, and hand-made white oak cabinetry throughout.

When considering the highly specific nature of the home’s design, it may be surprising to learn that the home was built without a specific homeowner in mind. That is, naturally, by design.

“The home doesn’t feel like a typical spec house because we made decisions based on what we know works, not what we think the market wants,” says Dan Fields, the other half of the Ravel team. “We trust that people will appreciate the value of architect-designed spaces that spare them the ‘decision fatigue’ that comes with a custom build process.”

According to Dan and Alex, it seems that many home buyers are looking for an “architecture light” process. Designing for this potential client can make thoughtful architecture accessible to more home buyers; however, it doesn’t come without risk to them as developers. Alex and Dan joke that they will often ask each other if anyone else will love what they’re designing and building other than themselves.

Judging by how quickly this home was snapped up after being listed, Ravel’s approach to considerately develop residential architecture might just speak for itself.

Contact:
(512) 766-7353
2012 E Cesar Chavez St.
ravelarchitecture.com
@ravelarchitecture