Heritage Oak Cottage

Perched above Pease Park in Austin is a circa 1930 cottage nestled beneath the canopy of a giant Heritage Oak Tree. The one-story house retained some of its original character but suffered previous renovations which created awkward, cave-like rooms. The home owner wished to improve overall quality of space and circulation flow as well as expand living rooms and add a Master Suite. Because of limited site area on the hillside and an already steep roof pitch, the house called for a second-floor “attic” addition. Room functions were shuffled, circulation was restored, a previously enclosed central courtyard houses a new stair and soaring skylit volume which balances natural light from perimeter rooms; the vertical chamber is now a library/ stair hall. The kitchen was reoriented to allow flow through from the stair hall to the dining room and accommodates views through tree branches and down the hill. Upstairs a Master Suite occupies the expanded attic through which a “treehouse” bathroom occupies a dormer window. Opposing vanity mirrors reflect tree structure to infinity. Interior details are crisp and minimal. Use of subtle textures and dusty hues enhance the lightness of the space. Furnishings, a mix of collected and custom pieces are used sparingly so that emphasis falls on the Art which reflects the Owner’s colorful personality.