The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

John Cole Photography
ワシントンD.C.にあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな折り返し階段 (木の蹴込み板、ワイヤーの手すり) の写真

ボルチモアにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな階段 (ガラスフェンス) の写真

Guy Lockwood
ロンドンにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなかね折れ階段 (木の蹴込み板、金属の手すり) の写真

デトロイトにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなかね折れ階段 (木の蹴込み板) の写真

Peter Bennetts
メルボルンにあるラグジュアリーな中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな着席型バー (L型、アンダーカウンターシンク、黒いキャビネット、御影石カウンター、マルチカラーのキッチンパネル、石スラブのキッチンパネル、黒い床、黒いキッチンカウンター、フラットパネル扉のキャビネット) の写真

ロサンゼルスにあるサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな直階段 (テラコッタの蹴込み板) の写真

Photography by: Werner Straube
シカゴにあるヴィクトリアン調のおしゃれな階段の写真

This foyer was updated with the addition of white paneling and new herringbone hardwood floors with a walnut border. The walls are covered in a navy blue grasscloth wallpaper from Thibaut. A navy and white geometric patterned stair-runner, held in place with stair rods capped with pineapple finials, further contributes to the home's coastal feel. Photo by Mike Mroz of Michael Robert Construction

Using an 1890's black and white photograph as a reference, this Queen Anne Victorian underwent a full restoration. On the edge of the Montclair neighborhood, this home exudes classic "Painted Lady" appeal on the exterior with an interior filled with both traditional detailing and modern conveniences. The restoration includes a new main floor guest suite, a renovated master suite, private elevator, and an elegant kitchen with hearth room. Builder: Blackstock Construction Photograph: Ron Ruscio Photography

bespoke, double height room, library, striped stair runner
ロンドンにあるエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれな階段 (フローリングの蹴込み板) の写真

Celine
ダブリンにある広いヴィクトリアン調のおしゃれな玄関 (大理石の床、青い壁) の写真

A custom designed and fabricated metal and wood spiral staircase that goes directly from the upper level to the garden; it uses space efficiently as well as providing a stunning architectural element. Costarella Architects, Robert Vente Photography

Phillip Ennis Photography
ニューヨークにあるラグジュアリーな広いビーチスタイルのおしゃれな折り返し階段 (木材の手すり、フローリングの蹴込み板) の写真

フィラデルフィアにあるビーチスタイルのおしゃれならせん階段 (フローリングの蹴込み板) の写真

The home opens with a fifteen-foot entrance into a Great Room, where the north-façade is a glass curtain wall supported by hydraulic systems which opens like an aircraft hangar door, extending the living experience to outdoors. The horizontality of the space draws the eye to the greenery of Silicon Valley and floods the room with direct daylight. This feature gives the otherwise ultra-modern home the ambiance of existing in and among nature. To bolster the comfort and serenity of the Great Room, an open floor plan combines kitchen, living, and dining areas. To the left is a nineteen-foot cantilevered kitchen island and to the right, a three-sided glass fireplace cradling the family room. In the center, a circular glass-floored dining area, impressively cantilevers over a sixty-foot long swimming pool with Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” mosaic tiled floor, serving as the Great Room’s centerpiece. Sustainable feature includes, gray / rainwater harvesting system, saving approximately 34,000 gallons of water annually; a solar system covering 90% of home energy usage and aluminum cladded subfloor heating system achieving the desired temperature seven times faster than traditional radiant system and over 25% saving over conventional forced air system.

The Library is located off of the main Foyer. It also is a two-story space with a spiral staircase leading to a catwalk.
マイアミにあるトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれなホームオフィス・書斎 (ベージュの壁、自立型机) の写真

デトロイトにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな屋内プールの写真

ボストンにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな階段 (ガラスフェンス) の写真