Austin backyard tiny home gently expands beyond its surface

Summary

The video showcases the design and construction of a unique, compact 320-square-foot home built within strict city constraints in Austin. The architect, who also acted as the general contractor, overcame challenges such as limited space, budget, and building restrictions to create an efficient and creative design. The house features leaning walls to optimize space, reclaimed materials, and carefully planned layouts for a functional one-bedroom apartment. The design focuses on maximizing storage, light, and connection to the outdoors, while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship and innovation despite the tight budget.

Takeaways

• 😀 The design of the house was constrained by city regulations, including a 320 square foot building footprint and a utility easement that influenced the shape of the house.
• 😀 The house features leaning walls and vertical surfaces, which were a result of design decisions made to maximize the small footprint and create more space.
• 😀 Budget constraints led to the use of reclaimed materials, such as cedar shakes, windows from Craigslist, and Ikea cabinets with custom fronts.
• 😀 The space was designed to maximize functionality despite its small size, with careful planning to fit essential rooms like the kitchen, living room, and stairway.
• 😀 The layout prioritizes efficient use of space, including custom storage solutions like deep drawers and cabinets that fit around the staircase.
• 😀 The walls are angled, which creates a sense of openness and increased volume within the living room and kitchen despite the small footprint.
• 😀 The client desired high-quality materials, which were obtained at a low cost by repurposing items like windows and doors from other projects.
• 😀 Design constraints led to creative solutions, such as the decision to move the oven to a less conventional location due to space limitations.
• 😀 The house incorporates elements of personal interest, such as a space for music records and books, tailored to the client’s preferences.
• 😀 The compact design includes a private office space and clever use of vertical space, with the bedroom tucked into a loft area that maintains a spacious feel despite the limited square footage.

Q & A

What is the significance of the house's unique shape?

The house's shape is dictated by constraints set by the city of Austin, including limited space on the lot (320 square feet) and a utility easement. The angle of the house was determined by the utility easement, and the structure had to stay within a small footprint to allow for a pervious yard to manage rainwater runoff.

How did the architect manage the small footprint of the house?

The architect utilized the available space creatively by leaning three walls and having three vertical walls. This design choice allowed for a more spacious feeling inside despite the small footprint. The angled walls also helped optimize the use of space, providing more counter area in the kitchen and a larger living room.

How was the project budget managed?

The project was designed on a tight budget, and many materials were sourced affordably. For example, the windows were bought on Craigslist, and the cedar shakes for the exterior were reclaimed from a roofer's previous project. The cabinets were sourced from Ikea with custom fronts made from reclaimed longleaf pine.

What is the significance of the leaning walls in the house?

The leaning walls were not a planned aesthetic but a functional solution to the space constraints. By angling the walls, the architect created more room in areas like the living room and kitchen, making the small footprint feel much more spacious.

What role did the physical models play in the design process?

Physical models played an important role in the design process, allowing the architect to visualize and refine the space early on. The architect often works with physical models to better understand proportions and spatial relationships.

How did the architect address the issue of limited space in the kitchen?

The architect maximized the available space in the kitchen by leaning the walls, which increased the depth for counter space. The design also included custom cabinetry and creative use of Ikea components to make the most of the small area.

Why was the bathroom design changed during construction?

During construction, the client decided that a bathtub was not necessary, so the design was altered to include a shower instead. The plumbing for the tub was already in place, and the architect creatively repurposed this space to add a shower without significantly increasing costs.

What are the key design elements that make the space feel larger than it is?

The tall ceilings, angled walls, and strategic use of windows are key elements that make the space feel larger. The design leverages vertical space and avoids traditional Euclidean forms, creating a sense of openness despite the small square footage.

How did the architect make use of reclaimed materials in the design?

Reclaimed materials were used throughout the house to save costs and add character. For example, the cedar shakes were reclaimed from a roofer's project, and the longleaf pine used for cabinet fronts was salvaged from a house undergoing renovation. This sustainable approach helped stay within budget while maintaining high-quality design.

What was the reasoning behind including an outdoor shower in the design?

The outdoor shower was included as a private, functional feature that connected the living space to the outdoors. The owners valued privacy and a sense of escape, which the outdoor shower provided, while still keeping the design compact and practical.