Site size: 6,500 square feet
Project size: 550 square feet
Program: The owner wanted a one-bedroom guesthouse behind a primary residence.
Location: East Austin, Texas
Solution: The house’s 320-square-foot footprint is the maximum allowed by the city for this East Austin residential lot. To gain enough volume within that small area for a one-bedroom dwelling, the second floor leans out away from the first, hugging building setback planes and an angled utility easement at the back of the property. Tilting walls allow for a covered porch and outdoor shower, as well as expanded living, sleeping, bathing, and cooking spaces throughout. The design draws inspiration from Dutch and Japanese precedents that have shown exceptional ability to find playful solutions under tight spatial constraints.
Construction and materials: The house features wood and metal framing, cedar shake siding, and stucco interior walls. Cabinetry is made from reclaimed longleaf pine.
Additional Information
Completion date: May 2015
Gross square footage: 500 square feet
Total construction cost: $160,000
Client: Kerthy Fix
Owner: Kerthy Fix
