From Traditional to Modern: A Before & After Home Remodel

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.

Complete Custom Remodel

J NORD WOLFE General Contracting Inc.

サンフランシスコにあるお手頃価格の中くらいなトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (漆喰サイディング) の写真

Lake Keowee Reserve

Altura Architects

mountain view modern mountain
他の地域にある中くらいなトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観の写真

Jersey Way Addition

Design Platform

Tigerwood Horizontal Fence on Cinder Block Patio Wall. Opened Entire Front of House Adding New Windows, Patio Doors and Clerestory. Photo by David Lauer. www.davidlauerphotography.com

Bluegrass Living

Siena Custom Builders, Inc.

Spacious front porch to watch all the kids play on the cul de sac! Michael Lipman Photography
シカゴにあるトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観の写真

Icking S 2

Lebensraum Holz GmbH

ミュンヘンにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (下見板張り) の写真

2021 Artisan Home Tour

Housing First Minnesota

2021 Artisan Home Tour Remodeler: Nor-Son Custom Builders Photo: Landmark Photography Have questions about this home? Please reach out to the builder listed above to learn more.

New Canaan, CT Red Cedar

Connecticut Roofcrafters Llc

Lower angle view highlighting the pitch of this Western Red Cedar perfection shingle roof we recently installed on this expansive and intricate New Canaan, CT residence. This installation involved numerous dormers, valleys and protrusions, and over 8,000 square feet of copper chromated arsenate-treated cedar.

Lake of the Woods

Glas Associates

A nautical-inspired design with beautifully contrasting finishes and textures throughout Photo by Ashley Avila Photography
グランドラピッズにある中くらいなビーチスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (ウッドシングル張り) の写真

Yarralumla Residence

Studio Black Interiors

For this knock down rebuild, in the established Canberra suburb of Yarralumla, the client's brief was modern Hampton style. The main finishes include Hardwood American Oak floors, shaker style joinery, patterned tiles and wall panelling, to create a classic, elegant and relaxed feel for this family home. Built by CJC Constructions. Photography by Hcreations.

Midwestern Coastal- Burr Ridge

Derrick Architecture

A bold gable sits atop a covered entry at this arts and crafts / coastal style home in Burr Ridge. Shake shingles are accented by the box bay details and gable end details. Formal paneled columns give this home a substantial base with a stone water table wrapping the house. Tall dormers extend above the roof line at the second floor for dramatic effect.

Arcadia Light

Benedicte Torrington Interior Design

フェニックスにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観の写真

St. Helena Farmhouse Infill

James McCalligan Architect

サンフランシスコにある高級なカントリー風のおしゃれな家の外観 (混合材サイディング) の写真

Beach House at Avoca Beach by Architecture Saville Isaacs

Architecture Saville Isaacs

Exterior - Front Entry Beach House at Avoca Beach by Architecture Saville Isaacs Project Summary Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ The core idea of people living and engaging with place is an underlying principle of our practice, given expression in the manner in which this home engages with the exterior, not in a general expansive nod to view, but in a varied and intimate manner. The interpretation of experiencing life at the beach in all its forms has been manifested in tangible spaces and places through the design of pavilions, courtyards and outdoor rooms. Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ A progression of pavilions and courtyards are strung off a circulation spine/breezeway, from street to beach: entry/car court; grassed west courtyard (existing tree); games pavilion; sand+fire courtyard (=sheltered heart); living pavilion; operable verandah; beach. The interiors reinforce architectural design principles and place-making, allowing every space to be utilised to its optimum. There is no differentiation between architecture and interiors: Interior becomes exterior, joinery becomes space modulator, materials become textural art brought to life by the sun. Project Description Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ The core idea of people living and engaging with place is an underlying principle of our practice, given expression in the manner in which this home engages with the exterior, not in a general expansive nod to view, but in a varied and intimate manner. The house is designed to maximise the spectacular Avoca beachfront location with a variety of indoor and outdoor rooms in which to experience different aspects of beachside living. Client brief: home to accommodate a small family yet expandable to accommodate multiple guest configurations, varying levels of privacy, scale and interaction. A home which responds to its environment both functionally and aesthetically, with a preference for raw, natural and robust materials. Maximise connection – visual and physical – to beach. The response was a series of operable spaces relating in succession, maintaining focus/connection, to the beach. The public spaces have been designed as series of indoor/outdoor pavilions. Courtyards treated as outdoor rooms, creating ambiguity and blurring the distinction between inside and out. A progression of pavilions and courtyards are strung off circulation spine/breezeway, from street to beach: entry/car court; grassed west courtyard (existing tree); games pavilion; sand+fire courtyard (=sheltered heart); living pavilion; operable verandah; beach. Verandah is final transition space to beach: enclosable in winter; completely open in summer. This project seeks to demonstrates that focusing on the interrelationship with the surrounding environment, the volumetric quality and light enhanced sculpted open spaces, as well as the tactile quality of the materials, there is no need to showcase expensive finishes and create aesthetic gymnastics. The design avoids fashion and instead works with the timeless elements of materiality, space, volume and light, seeking to achieve a sense of calm, peace and tranquillity. Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ Focus is on the tactile quality of the materials: a consistent palette of concrete, raw recycled grey ironbark, steel and natural stone. Materials selections are raw, robust, low maintenance and recyclable. Light, natural and artificial, is used to sculpt the space and accentuate textural qualities of materials. Passive climatic design strategies (orientation, winter solar penetration, screening/shading, thermal mass and cross ventilation) result in stable indoor temperatures, requiring minimal use of heating and cooling. Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ Accommodation is naturally ventilated by eastern sea breezes, but sheltered from harsh afternoon winds. Both bore and rainwater are harvested for reuse. Low VOC and non-toxic materials and finishes, hydronic floor heating and ventilation ensure a healthy indoor environment. Project was the outcome of extensive collaboration with client, specialist consultants (including coastal erosion) and the builder. The interpretation of experiencing life by the sea in all its forms has been manifested in tangible spaces and places through the design of the pavilions, courtyards and outdoor rooms. The interior design has been an extension of the architectural intent, reinforcing architectural design principles and place-making, allowing every space to be utilised to its optimum capacity. There is no differentiation between architecture and interiors: Interior becomes exterior, joinery becomes space modulator, materials become textural art brought to life by the sun. Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/

Front of House

Coastal Signature Homes

Siding Color: Sherwin Williams 7015 (Repose Grey) Windows: Andersen Trim color: Sherwin Williams 7008 (Alabaster) Shutter material: James Hardie Shutter color: Sherwin Williams 6258 (Tricorn Black) Garage Door: Building Specialties of Carolina Mahogany Front door