Tucked behind a 1940's house, this new home peeks out from an alley in historic East Austin. The primary design intent was to make a compact space feel generous with tall ceilings, views to the outdoors, and changeable components. Clerestory windows look into neighbouring pecan trees and provide serene daylighting. The primary axis through the house ends in a window seat overlooking the protected backyard, nestled between neighbouring houses. Counterbalanced shed roofs nod to the gables of nearby houses in contemporary language.

Our clients are a new type of Austinite; they work from home and enjoy walking everywhere. As such, they prioritized a screen porch to enjoy the street life of the neighbourhood, but no garage. Spaces transform from live to work with foldaway cabinetry and pieces that do double duty like an island / table. The living room expands into the screen porch with glass doors that fold away.

Elizabeth Alford founded Pollen Architecture in Austin, Texas in 2008 with Michael Young, and Dason Whitsett. Elizabeth’s work centers on creating engaging spaces that are carefully integrated into their surroundings, both natural settings and urban contexts. Elizabeth uses section, natural light and materiality to enrich the experience of a space. Prior to forming Pollen, Elizabeth ran her own firm, Elizabeth Alford Projects in Austin and New York, doing projects including studio renovations and farm buildings.

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