austin homes tour

2023 AIA Austin Home Tour Announces Home Lineup for October 28-29

AIA Austin recently announced the dates and architect lineup for the 37th Annual AIA Austin Homes Tour . The popular event returns October 28-29, showcasing home design excellence and featuring nine Austin architects. The nationally recognized Austin Homes Tour is a self-guided tour of both new and newly renovated homes designed by local architects. Each year, the select homes inspire homeowners, architects, and design enthusiasts alike. 

The architects chosen for this year’s tour are: Furman + Keil Architects , Bercy Chen Studio , Murray Legge Architecture , Bullock McIntyre Studio , Nicole Blair , Franke:Franke , Matt Fajkus Architecture , McCollum Studio Architects , and Moontower Design & Build . 

Special Early Bird pricing of $40 for general admission tickets is available August 21 through September 22. After September 22, general admission tickets will be $45, and $50 the days of the tour. VIP tickets, with access to a VIP party and swag bag are available for $125. All tickets are available for purchase at https://aiaaustin.org/programs/homes-tour/ .  

Highlights from this year’s tour include a plant-based, zero-carbon emissions home built of cross laminated timber panels and thermally modified cork by Moontower Design & Build; a light-filled, Bercy Chen Studio-designed three-glass pavilion home built on a steeply sloping 10-acre property nestled into the woods; a Murray Legge Architecture renovation/addition integrating an existing mid-century home with contemporary features showcasing its timeless charm; a 660-square-foot flexible studio space by Nicole Blair shaped to fit above the existing bungalow roofline, and five other impressive homes with stunning architecturally significant features. 

“This Tour has something for everyone,” says AIA Austin Executive Director Ingrid Spencer. “From a house made mostly of plant-based materials, to a multi-generational house with lush gardens, to a renovation of a spectacular house we saw on this Tour 20 years ago, this Tour promises to inspire attendees and generate lots of discussion about great design.” 

This year’s tour features pre-tour webinars with each of the nine architects, running September 13 through October 11. Each webinar consists of a short introduction, an architect presentation, and a Q&A. Registration opens in late August. All ticket holders will have access to the webinars, or they can be purchased individually for $25 a session. AIA CE credit is available for attending the webinars. 

Austin’s AIA Homes Tour is recognized as one of the leading, and longest-running, architectural homes tours nationwide. Keep up to date with the annual Homes Tour at aiaaustinhomestour.com , follow AIA Austin on Instagram @AIAAustin or sign up for their newsletter here . 

About AIA Austin The Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Austin) is the voice of Austin architects, with more than 1,300 members and nearly 200 Allied members. Along with its 501c3 organization the Austin Foundation for Architecture, AIA Austin promotes appreciation of Austin’s built and natural environment and advocates for design excellence. For more information, visit aiaaustin.org and follow on Facebook and Instagram @AIAAustin.

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• The Woodlands

This home retains the original façade of a historic Clarksville home and transforms into a modern masterpiece just past the entry rooms. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

A Clearview residence offers energy-efficiency and hidden gardens. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

In Tarrytown, the Exposition residence originated in 1939. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

Skylights allow the Inverse House to be filled with light and color. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

The Lean On Me House was designed by North Arrow Studio. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

The Lean On Me House attempts to bring the outside in. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

The Oak Creek home's kitchen is cozy and modern. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

The Oak Creek residence is located in West Austin. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

A sweeping staircase is the highlight of the Oak Creek home. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

The Ramsey Residence was inspired by the owner's art collection. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

The Ramsey residence boasts a beautiful outdoor area and fire pit. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

The owners of this River Ranch home (on a seven-acre site) were inspired by the film Out of Africa. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

A giant screened porch connected to the main living room (and featuring a fireplace with ceramic balls) was the star of this stunning, Rollingwood home. (Photo by Tobin Davies Photography)

For Its 35th Year, The AIA Austin Homes Tour Goes Hybrid — Creating An Immersive and Fascinating Event

Get a glimpse inside the featured 2021 homes.

O n Friday, October 15, the first ever hybrid AIA Austin Homes Tour kicked off with virtual and in-person experiences. From a Clarksville stunner perched high on West 10 th Street to an “Inverse House” located in Davenport Ranch, the tour was a thrilling way to consider both Austin’s historical riches and new ways architects and homeowners are playing with light, structure, sustainability, and possibility.

Friday and Sunday’s online sessions were fascinating, giving viewers a chance to ask specific questions of architects ( Q: What’s inside that screen porch fireplace? A: Ceramic balls…it was an experiment but the owners love them!) and allowing architects to showcase past and future projects. I especially enjoyed April Clark’s visual presentation of how her client’s art collections influence the way she designs their homes. While I’d feared the online sessions would feel distant, they actually gave me a deeper, more meaningful sense of the architects at work than simply wandering through a structure, as I’d done in previous years.

On Saturday, however, it was pure joy to wake on a rare, crisp fall morning and head off, a cup of coffee in hand, to visit the three wildly divergent in-person homes tours. I was able to have a long conversation about HVAC systems and in-home generators with Indoor Weather Professionals; to speak with a Pella windows expert; and to pause in the most amazing bathroom I’d ever seen to fantasize about someday taking a bubble bath and gazing at both the Texas stars and the Texas State Capitol.

Read on for more on the must-see Austin architecture.

Clarksville Residence | In-person & Virtual

Architect : LaRue Architects Neighborhood : Clarksville

Besides containing the bathtub of my dreams, this home retains the original façade of a historic Clarksville home and transforms into a modern masterpiece just past the entry rooms to reveal a jaw-dropping view of downtown Austin. To me, this home felt like Austin both past and present. (It even includes a wall of Life magazine covers found in the original home.) I loved it so much I called my eldest son and made him rush right over, so that every time we stop along Lamar Boulevard for Fresa’s tacos, we can gaze up at this home and dream.

Celebrate 4th of July

Exposition Residence | Virtual Only

Architect : Brian Dillard Architecture Neighborhood : Tarrytown

This 1939 stone dwelling was updated with a modern addition that surrounds the yard and pool. A new stone cabana and covered seating area invites relaxing outdoors.

Clearview Residence | Virtual Only

Architect : Weber + Studio Architects Neighborhood : Tarrytown

The exterior “solar-abating aluminum skin” and rain screen installation augment energy efficiency in this home, and I loved the secret garden below the main-level pool deck.

Oak Creek Court Residence | Virtual Only

Architect : Furman + Keil Architects Neighborhood : West Austin

A sweeping, curved staircase takes center stage in this family home and oversized windows open to a backyard filled with oak trees.

Ramsey Residence | In-person & Virtual

Architect : Clark Richardson Architects Neighborhood : Rosedale

This home was inspired by the owner’s art collection. A southern-lit gallery of clerestory windows (windows set in walls above eye-level) connects the public area and private area of the house.

Rollingwood Residence | Virtual Only

Architect : Lake | Flato Architects Neighborhood : Rollingwood

A giant screened porch connected to the main living room (and featuring a fireplace with ceramic balls) was the star of this stunning, Rollingwood home. The floating, gabled roof follows the slope of the land and guides views down the hill toward a dry creek, private gathering spaces, and amphitheater.

Inverse House | In-person & Virtual

Architect : Matt Fajkus Architecture Neighborhood : Davenport Ranch

Guests enter this home into the public space: a light-filled kitchen and living room. Inverting expectations, the private areas are located downstairs. Skylights allowed the home to be filled with changing color.

Lean on Me House | Virtual Only

Architect : North Arrow Studio Neighborhood : Barton Creek Habitat

It was a pleasure to hear Francisco Arrendondo speak about this project, which attempts to “bring the outside in,” and “blur the boundary between interior and exterior” with a stacked-massing house that is located at the top of a hill.

River Ranch | Virtual Only

Architect : Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects Neighborhood : Cedar Creek

The owners of this home (on a seven-acre site) were inspired by the film Out of Africa. The resulting architecture, encompassing large living areas and scaled porches, allows them to connect with the natural environment.

Styled Spaces

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AIA Austin Homes Tour

October 28, 2023 | 10:00 am

Discover the self-guided, curated tour at the 37th Annual AIA Austin Homes Tour , featuring nine homes crafted by renowned local architects. This years program showcases the work from award-winning architecture firms, including Furman + Neil Architects, Bercy Chen Studio LP, and Matt Fajkus Architecture. This is a two day event that runs from Saturday, Oct 28th to Sunday, Oct 29th .

$45-$145 Ticket price varies on package.

Tour will include nine locations throughout Austin. TX.

The 2022 Austin Modern Home Tour Feb 19th, 2022

LIVE AND IN PERSON for 2022!

We're so glad to be back.

Just a few things – First, masks will most likely be required in the homes.  No exceptions, so please don’t ask.

Second, while data suggests that the Omicron variant should peak well prior to Tour day, we reserve the right to postpone the Tour by a week or two if the homeowners who are so generously allowing us into their homes are uncomfortable.

All of us at MA+DS thank you for your consideration and commitment to our community!

Studio Momentum

Petrini custom builders, newcastle homes, joseph design build, workshop no. 5+ mosier luxury homes, cornerstone architects, compass real estate (design by jair gonzalez), tuesday pre-tour virtual event with petrini custom builders, tuesday pre-tour virtual event with newcastle homes, wednesday pre-tour virtual event with point b design group, thursday pre-tour virtual event with barley i pfeiffer, feel at home - again~, together, we'll explore austin's coolest modern homes.

Let’s get together and tour some of Austin’s most cutting-edge private homes in some of the coolest neighborhoods around.

Meet the Architects & Tour the Homes

Talk with the minds behind these fantastic homes!

Pre-Tour Content

Join us online for ticketholder-only tour preview events. Combine the best of our virtual events with the run up to the IN PERSON Tour Day.

Ask All The Questions

The Tour is your chance to ask Austin's leading home design pros what they think!

Award-winning Work

Among other accolades, participants have been recognized by the AIA, regularly covered in Dwell, and awarded as Best of Houzz.

Get Inspired!

Finally ready to embark on your own stunning modern project? You won't find better inspiration anywhere!

Safety First!

To prevent crowding, TICKETS THIS YEAR WILL BE LIMITED TO APPROXIMATELY 50% OF OUR NORMAL AVAILABILITY.

Learn About the 2022 Tour Homes

Interior Design: Lauren Ramirez  Photographer Credit: Patrick Wong 

This project is a major transformation of an existing home. The original was built in 1957 and consisted of an interesting structural frame for the lower level, consisting of Concrete masonry unit walls and piers, with inverted Concrete pans for the floor. The basement consisted of a sloped floor to deal with the natural drainage that crossed the site. The goal of the renovation was to update the home for a modern family of four, with a home office, new master suite and basement, second living area that would relate to the outdoors and a new pool. The critical structural features of the home were maintained, including a floating concrete staircase to the main entry, and a cantilevered back porch and bridge.  

The original house had a small, enclosed kitchen, with a tiny view toward the back yard. The new kitchen inhabits an addition, and the original space was changed into the new dining area. All new windows open up the view to the City Skyline to the North, with the original stone fireplace anchoring the main living area.  

An all-new master suite was added to the main floor, wrapping around the site to gain a spectacular view of the new pool and skyline. The master suite features reclaimed ship lap from the original structure as an accent wall with hidden lighting. The ship lap was also used to highlight the original structural system in the basement ceiling.  

  The basement was transformed into a second living, with kitchenette for entertaining around the pool. An addition forms a guest room and bath that also serves as a home office.  

Architect: Studio Momentum  Interior Design: Cameron Getter Design 

Creating unique, high-performance infill homes is a specialty of Newcastle Homes and Studio Momentum. 2602 South 3rd offered many challenges, but these challenges presented an opportunity to design and build something special, so we dove right into crafting this custom AEGB 5-Star certified home, pool and casita!  

2602 South 3rd is an infill residential site in the eclectic and connected Galindo neighborhood in one of Austin’s hottest zip codes, 78704. The lot is irregularly-shaped with protected trees and challenging topography. These site constraints and the City of Austin’s infamous development code made this project very difficult, but having collaborated for over 10 years, Newcastle Homes and Studio Momentum successfully maximized every inch of this property to exceed expectations and provide maximum bang for buck without sacrificing style or performance.  

At 3,048 square feet, with three bedrooms, three full baths and a powder room, with options for up to five bedrooms, 2602 South 3rd offers maximum flexibility and value in this spacious South Austin courtyard home. The connected indoor-outdoor living and dining area centered around the designer pool makes this the perfect entertaining layout while maintaining the indoor flow that makes a convenient everyday home.  

The protected trees provide essential shade and, along with the casita, create the courtyard that unifies the indoor and outdoor living spaces, accessible from both the living room and the kitchen/dining through massive Western sliding doors. This space is designed to function as a “composed room” for living and entertaining that is centered on the custom pool. The third story provides extra room for living that can function in a multitude of ways – an extra bedroom, a studio, a media room, an office, play space, etc. Flexible spaces are a design principle for Newcastle Homes, allowing homeowners to get maximum use of a home now and in the future as families grow and change.   

For Cameron Getter Designs, the furnishings and decor design aesthetic are modern-minimalist with a touch of industrial-bohemian, and an emphasis on texture in the furnishings, artwork and light fixtures. The kitchen design drove the direction for the downstairs furnishings, as accents of black and light to medium wood tones appear throughout, creating an even amount of contrast throughout the space. Collaborating with the homeowners, the color palette was developed through their original local art, setting the tone of a soft neutral palette. The aim was to achieve a sophisticated yet livable home, perfect for both entertaining and daily life.  

Every aspect of 2602 South 3rd was carefully designed and crafted to provide a beautiful, functional, intuitive, space–the results speak for themselves!  

Architect: Garwood Architecture  Photographer Credit: Jamie Leasure / MA+DS

The Dip Cove residence is a luxury modern oasis nestled in a cul-de-sac in the Barton Hills neighborhood. This modern home with a separate guest apartment has five bedrooms, 4-full bathrooms, 2-half bathrooms and 2 full kitchens, all on an ultra-private and beautiful .42-acre lot.  

Petrini Custom Builders and Garwood Architecture’s goal was for every aspect of the residence to surpass the quality found at any 5-star resort and spa. Integrated Miele appliances, Kallista fixtures, two steam rooms, plastered showers, European custom cabinetry and 20’x40’ infinity edge pool and spa are a few of the countless luxury amenities, materials, and finishes in this wonderful home.  

The Dip Cove residence has the perfect blend of inside/outside living. Perfectly placed, energy efficient floor to ceiling doors and windows bring amazing natural light in during all hours of the day. The family room features a two-story glass wall looking out to the 20’x40’ resort quality pool and spa. The modern, 27,000-gallon swimming pool with integrated spa has an infinity edge that runs along the entire side of the home. The tiled walls of the pool shimmer when the sun touches it.   

The sustainability and performance of build quality is nearly unparalleled. To achieve this, meticulous attention and expense is required for details that most people will never see. Executing details that aren’t visible when the home is finished is a true sign of quality. Air-sealing and insulation are at the forefront of this home’s design for ultimate comfort. The Dip Cove residence’s entire exterior and roof has 2” thick energy shield polyiso insulation. The majority of homes do not have this. The three separate HVAC and dehumidification systems have superior filtration and incredible air-sealing which provides the perfect interior climate while requiring minimal energy. Zero VOC paint, glue and materials were used as a further commitment to longstanding healthy building principals.  

The home can be as connected or disconnected as the owner prefers. A 400-amp electrical service allows for multiple electric vehicles to charge rapidly. About one mile of CAT-5e cable runs from a hidden media room to 55 locations around the residence and supports 1 gigabyte per second network operating speeds. The 55 locations include (many) exterior security cameras and ethernet connections in each room. Disconnecting entirely from Wi-Fi is an option.  

While every feature of the house could have its own highlight, it’s the level of detail throughout that sets this home apart. All interior drywall is level five finish, and this home has recessed, modern trim detail throughout. Custom European cabinetry was designed and manufactured by Austin-based Siena Custom Cabinetry for every room in the house.  

Architect: Chris Zuniga of Joseph Design Build  Interior Design: Britney Joslin of Joseph Design Build  

This home is a masterpiece of effortless unity and understated elegance.  

Resting on a large corner lot, this breathtaking modern design takes full advantage of the natural beauty of the Bouldin Creek neighborhood. Its floor-to-ceiling windows and complementary physical elements aim to lessen distinctions between indoor and outdoor spaces, blending these separate areas into a seamless living experience.   

Like every Joseph home, the space was designed first and foremost to maximize function and livability. Our world-class architects are always focused on creating practical residences that feel as good as they look, and, as a result, the living areas were carefully arranged to promote convenience and comfort.   

The entire second floor is dedicated to an enormous primary suite, complete with an oversized bathroom spa, walk-in closet, and balcony. This intimate enclave leads directly to the third-floor rooftop deck, which itself features incredible views of the downtown Austin area.   

On the ground floor, the kitchen and living room sit clustered together to ensure easy movement and natural cohesion. There, the beautiful wall of windows provides a continual connection to the exterior, and the surrounding landscape was carefully cultivated to maximize this union.   

In many places the brick accents meld directly into the outside paneling, further emphasizing this fusion of inside and out. No matter where you stand, the flow of energy invites you to turn your attention towards the pool and backyard, and this deliberate continuity is fundamental to the design and feel of the home.  

Alongside those living spaces are the guest suite and two-car garage, which round out the rest of the lower area.   

The Live Oak project also features several luxury amenities, including an elevator, brick fireplace, and intimate backyard pool. These important features help elevate the overall quality of the home, while providing practical, everyday value.   

From a construction perspective, the project itself features a tasteful combination of high-quality glass, cedar, and brick — expertly employed to minimize unwanted distractions.   

This synergy between design, material, and space is ultimately what makes the Live Oak so unique.

Contractor/Builder: Steven Kruse  Photographer Credit: Molly Culver

You’ll love this bright, naturally lit Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) because it’s small – but mighty!  

Sized to preserve the development potential of the front house and situated for privacy and access from the busy corner lot off Berkman Dr., this ADU was designed for Modern Electric one of Moontower’s long standing trade relationships.  

Moontower jumped on the opportunity to collaborate with an old friend and add density to this lot, adjacent to a bus route, and in a rapidly developing part of East Austin. The resulting clean lined one-story home was executed with a minimal pallet organized along a tall, white, smooth stucco wall. Skylights situated along the wall reflect light throughout both the sleeping and living spaces connected by a hall which conceals a half bath and laundry closet. Narrow windows facing East and West are contrasted by floor to ceiling glass facing a private courtyard to the North.  

Landscape Architect: Lone Star Grass and Landscape  Photographer Credit: Robert Gomez 

A twist  for  the view:   

Perched on a hill in Clarksville that boasts a sweeping view of the downtown Austin skyline, this modern home was a long-awaited dream-come-true for the owners. After acquiring the land in 2017, the client interviewed many firms before landing on a design/build arrangement with Workshop No5 and Mosier Luxury Homes. The highly collaborative team of architect, builder and owner developed the three-bedroom, 3 ½ bath home to maximize the beautiful view for entertaining and create privacy for family life.  

Using the east-facing downtown view as an organizing element, the design orients views from public spaces and the owners’ suite toward the distant skyline. The house expresses a distinctly modern vibe – with a twist. Its industrial aesthetic is warmed by a material palette of stucco, wood, and Hardiboard. At the street level, the stucco volume containing the dining area – and a large window – is pushed forward, framed by Ipe-clad volumes that recede on either side and house the garage and the front entry. The modern, orthogonal ground floor box is topped by another sleek volume turned on a central axis to balance diagonally and accommodate a large upstairs balcony. Deeply cantilevered roofs for the ground level and first floor volumes help settle the dynamic structure and provide generous sun protection for outdoor spaces.  

The open concept interiors are experienced as a sequence of spaces, with living and dining engaged with the view of downtown and the kitchen oriented toward the backyard, a private sanctuary with a dining patio, outdoor kitchen, and planter boxes for the home garden. A sliding glass door creates a seamless connection and allows for easy movement between inside and out. The open kitchen’s central placement invites congregating during parties, a large circular light fixture above the island creating a visual focal point. The U-shaped island’s striking blue cabinets are encased under a sleek quartzite counter that wraps vertically down the central edge, creating an elegant, refined finish.  

A guest suite is separated from the public spaces by a sun-lit wood-clad tower that houses a floating staircase. Upstairs, the main entertaining space opens to the balcony facing downtown and is flanked by the master suite and a bedroom. A private balcony facing the backyard and anchored off the owners’ suite extends the master bath to include an outdoor shower. Ivy on the slatted wall provides full privacy.   

The collaborative design process and thoughtful choices of interior finishes and fixtures create an economical and efficient, yet completely custom solution.

Contractor/Builder: Trey Smith  Photographer Credit: Jamie Leasure / MA+DS

Located on a quiet street in the Tarrytown neighborhood of Austin, this 3,700 square foot home maximizes a challenging lot while executing beautiful modern design. The sloping lot required ADA access, and a large heritage tree in the middle of the property presented a challenge. To accommodate the tree, a 2-car garage design was modified to an office space alongside a single-car garage with a lift. The entry leads up to a gallery space which opens to the main living/dining/kitchen area anchored by a stunning 400-gallon custom aquarium. The floating glass staircase rises above a lighted wine display and up to a sitting area atop a unique glass floor which looks down onto a small courtyard. This quiet courtyard was designed to break up the long hallway and open up the gallery space. Extensive glazing lets in ample natural light and multiple sliding glass doors at the side and rear of the home allow for easy access to the oversized outdoor living area. The outdoor living incorporates a misting system on the porch and throughout the private backyard oasis.

Despite the design challenges, this contemporary home provides comfortable living spaces with unique features while finding a niche in this traditional, yet evolving, central Austin neighborhood.  

Architect: Jair Gonzalez  Photographer Credit: Allison Cartwright, Twist Tours 

This is a true architectural modern masterpiece designed and built by architect Jair Gonzalez’s as his personal home. No expense spared in the original construction of this exquisite, light-filled dwelling and the recent remodel/addition by current owner has taken it to the next level with the addition of a second study, outdoor cooking center, site/yard development and expansion of rooftop deck, plus additional staircase, and pneumatic elevator. The dramatic, restaurant-style kitchen with honed Carrera marble and primary bath and closet renovations are exceptional. The loft like open spaces with floor to ceiling commercial glass and expansive windows bring the outdoors inside throughout, perfecting a stunning treehouse feel. The very architectural interiors include a custom fabricated steel staircase, media center in great room, 8ft masonry fireplace, and quarter sawn white oak floors. One of-a-kind historic fixtures were thoughtfully restored and reclaimed from NYC’s Grand Central Station, as well as brass bathroom fixtures from George Gershwin’s personal home.   

Architect: Point B Design Group Photographer Credit: Chase Daniel

Carved voids in the volume which are anchored by the masonry stair, create subtle plays with indoor and outdoor. The dining room opens to a covered outdoor space created by the plane of the second floor above. The masonry of the stair extends to the interior and is seen at the entry and the dining. Orientation for sunrise views, maximizing bang for the buck, and balancing stark modern with hill country vernacular were in the forefront while designing. perfecting a stunning treehouse feel.   

Architect: Barley l Pfeiffer

What You'll See

How it works, 01 click here to get your tickets.

SOLD OUT!!!!!!

02 Join Us for Virtual Pre-Tour Events

Starting in late January, ticketholders will be invited to join us online for pre-Tour special events and previews with featured architects, builders, and interior designers.

03 Watch For Your Tour Map

About 48 hours before Tour Day, watch your email for a printable PDF map, as well as links to a dynamic online map if you prefer to navigate that way.

04 Visit the Homes on Tour Day*

Travel at your own pace as you visit the homes in any order you wish between 10 AM and 5 PM on Tour Day. *In the event of an COVID surge near the Tour date, MA+DS reserves the right to reschedule the event for a date in the near future.

Over A Decade of Fun & Educational Home Tour Events!

Left: Tour Home by Studio Momentum  Image: Patrick Wong

Looking for more info on sponsorships, tickets, or just general questions about the event?  Drop us a line!

© 2022 Modern Home Tours, LLC

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9 Stunning New Homes in Austin Will Open Their Doors for a Virtual Tour

Every fall since 1986, the AIA Austin chapter has welcomed thousands in the community to celebrate the city’s best residential architecture in their annual Homes Tour—and this year, the audience may be the biggest yet. 

For the 34th year of the AIA Austin Homes Tour, the city’s new and recently renovated homes that have been handpicked for design excellence will open up to a global audience in an immersive online experience that includes self-guided, 360-degree virtual walkthroughs, live discussion sessions with the architects, and much more. The 2020 AIA Austin Homes Tour is scheduled for October 16 to 19, 2020, with live sessions on October 17 and 18. Keep reading for a sneak peek at the nine homes highlighted in this year’s tour.

Barton Hills Brickhouse by baldridgeARCHITECTS

Designed for a musically inclined couple and their three beagles in Barton Hills, this four-bed, three-and-a-half bath home channels the laid-back charms of Coachella Valley’s Palm Desert with its emphasis on indoor/outdoor design and a beautiful, low-maintenance palette, from patterned white brick cladding and ipe siding to board-formed concrete and weathered steel that wrap around desert-modern landscaping.

Camp Frio by Tim Cuppett Architects

Local craftsmanship, endless Texas Hill Country views, and a year-round connection with nature combine in this multi-family compound on the bank of the Frio River. The remote cluster of buildings, which reads as a single mass from afar, comprises a spacious main house, a pair of guest studio cottages, as well as a meditation room set above a combined art studio and garage for a total of five beds and five-and-a-half baths.

Read our story on Camp Frio here.

Dogtrot House by Charles Di Piazza Architecture

Built in 1926, this innovative Central Austin residence puts a contemporary twist on the building’s original dogtrot form typically defined by two independent cabins with a breezeway down the middle. This 21st-century interpretation introduces two perpendicular breezeways that run the full length and width of the building to invite natural ventilation and daylight into the heart of the "four-cabin" home.

Inglewood by Mark Odom Studio

A client’s love of midcentury-modern design and desire for minimal site impact shaped the Inglewood Residence, a light-filled home with a series of courtyards informed by existing mature trees. The careful attention to site preservation is celebrated with a constant indoor/outdoor connection achieved through a unified material palette for the exterior and interior as well as an abundance of floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Ridge by THOUGHTBARN

A grove of heritage oaks surround this boldly angular Barton Hills house, a new build that began as a renovation project and retains traces of the original construction, including a close approximation of the former H-shaped floor plan. Thoughtfully redesigned to complement the neighborhood’s midcentury homes, the contemporary abode was also strategically laid out for beautifully framed views of the live oak trees.

Solarium by Jobe Corral Architects

Jobe Corral Architects have hidden a surprising addition behind a historic Craftsman house—a strikingly modern, steel-glass-and-concrete addition that completely opens up the family room to the outdoor landscape while paying homage to the original construction with handmade craft details, including a custom pulley for the fireplace screen.

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Limited to just 320 square feet under city regulations, this cleverly compact guesthouse makes the most of its spatial constraints by looking to Dutch and Japanese space-saving design precedents for inspiration. With walls that lean outward from the slab, the beehive-like, one-bed, one-bath abode in Central East Austin feels surprisingly spacious with tall ceilings, large windows, and built-in storage throughout the 550-square-foot interior.

West Campus by Alterstudio Architecture and Mell Lawrence Architects

Designed by a husband-and-wife architect duo for their family of five, this 1,922-square-foot net-zero home lives large in a relatively compact footprint. The root systems of the mature live oaks and the narrow lot informed the massing of two stacked boxes—a cantilevered wood-clad volume atop a smaller mill-finished steel volume—punctuated with frameless glazing that extend the indoors out.

Windsor Road Farm by Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects

Restored, renovated and expanded, a 1939 Page Southerland & Page-designed home has been thoughtfully reconfigured into a colorful three-bed, two-and-a-half-bath home for a family with a small urban farm. In addition to a sustainable vegetable garden, the home also incorporates salvaged materials sourced from homes and buildings across Austin.

Find tickets for the 2020 AIA Austin Homes Tour (October 16 - 19, 2020) online.

Related Reading: The AIA Is Urging Congress to Safeguard the Future of Architecture—and America

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She just moved into a neighborhood of 3D printed homes in Texas — see what it's like inside

• Daniella Glaeze documents her 3D printed home on TikTok, amassing millions of views.
• Icon and Lennar are building a community of 100 3D printed houses just north of Austin.
• The homes, made with "lavacrete" and featuring biophilic designs, offer energy efficiency.

3D printed houses may sound like they're from a future filled with hoverboards and holograms. But for Daniella Glaeze, she's already living it.

Glaeze began documenting her 3D printed home on TikTok shortly after moving into it in April. Her videos showing off the futuristic concrete house have garnered several million views — and questions.

"I'm definitely excited to bring some of this content to viewers and anyone interested in seeing the process and how these homes work," Glaeze told Business Insider.

"Homes," plural, because it's not just their house — it's a whole neighborhood. 3D printing construction startup Icon teamed up with home construction giant Lennar to build a community of 100 3D printed houses , called the Wolf Ranch, just north of Austin.

According to Icon, 95 of the homes already have their wall systems printed and all 100 are expected to be complete by 2025, but residents like Glaeze have already begun to move in.

First-time homeowners Glaeze and her husband, who are both software engineers, became interested after seeing some of these houses on TikTok.

"We're both in tech, so we know the type of engineering and innovation that goes into creating something like this, so we were really intrigued," Glaeze said.

The homes are built using a massive gantry-style printer, called the Vulcan Construction System, which spans 45.5 feet wide and 15.5 feet tall.

In one TikTok with over 4 million views, Glaeze toured her home, which has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a garage. Several commenters were worried about the potential of grime settling in the ribbed wall ridges, one writing, "I can't stop thinking about all the dust that would collect on the walls."

@life_0f_dani Replying to @Andrea Salazar what does the inside of a finished 3d printed house look like? let me show you 🫶🏼 leave me decor suggestions pleaseeee #3dprinting #home #3dprinted #3dprintedhouse ♬ original sound - daniella

However, Glaeze reassured that despite the unmistakable grooves, she had yet to encounter any dust build-up. She said that a wipe or handheld vacuum has gotten the job done.

"The ridges on the wall are not like little shelves, they're very thin," she said. "Even if dust were to collect, I don't think it'd be very noticeable, and the walls are very easy to clean, honestly."

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The simple solution seemed to be mirrored in most of her responses to other questions people brought up. Yes, you can hang things on the wall using a concrete bit. Yes, you can paint the walls with an airbrush. And yes, you can make the walls flat by sanding or using plaster.

"The walls are the only thing that are concrete and printed in the foundation," Glaeze said. "Everything else, like the electricity, the roof, the doors — they're all like a traditional home."

In fact, the only issue she has come across has been a spotty WiFi connection due to the thick concrete material, which she has combated with a WiFi booster.

So why print your home?

"My favorite thing about living in a 3D printed house is really the aesthetic," Glaeze said. "I think it's really cool; it's something new that's also different and innovative. "

Icon, which codesigned the homes with architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group, told Business Insider that aside from added structural support, 3D printing offers architectural freedom that would be far more expensive with traditional construction. They particularly lean into biophilic designs that include more organic forms with rounded edges and curves, the company said.

Glaze said she loves how the curved walls make "the whole house feel very seamless and clean" and has been experimenting with different light fixtures that "reflect really cool with the layers."

"It's really cool to see how people get creative with decorating the home," she said. "I have a neighbor who's playing with different light and textures and abstract art that pops off the walls."

Glaeze also said the thick concrete material, dubbed "lavacrete" by Icon, is not only well-insulated to keep temperatures cool against the Texas heat, but has also been "really sturdy" against rainstorms and outside noise.

"They have a lot of drills and heavy machinery outside, and I don't hear anything," she said. "I am sensitive to super loud sounds so being in this house is so quiet and so peaceful."

Icon said its wall systems had been tested against hurricane standard winds and also announced in March a new formulation of lavacrete called CarbonX, a lower carbon emission cement material that will be used for the remaining wall systems.

3D printing promises to be cheaper — soon

While one of Glaeze's biggest incentives for moving in was the house's "really good interest rate," the actual price is pretty on par with other properties in the area.

Since the homes in this neighborhood are being sold by Lennar, their pricing is dictated by the current market, Icon said. According to the company's website , the homes range from $425,000 to $585,000.

However, Icon said that homeowners have reported lower lifecycle costs and utility bills due to higher energy efficiencies. It also said 3D printing offers lower construction costs and faster development.

According to the company, its robotic system typically requires two people to operate, and each wall system in Wolf Ranch took, on average, two weeks to complete.

"One thing that Icon told me is they do want to combat the housing crisis," Glaeze said. "They want to have more affordable and efficient homes."

Watch: Can 3D-printed homes could help solve America's housing crisis

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