In the heart of Austin’s Travis Heights neighborhood, the afternoon sun streams through the vast north-facing glass addition of the Travis Heights Historic Home by architect Michael Hsu Office of Architecture. Light casts geometric shadows across limestone floors embedded with ancient fossils – 145-million-year-old remnants of giant clams that once inhabited this land, now preserved alongside 19th-century horseshoes and indigenous arrowheads. This juxtaposition forms the conceptual foundation of this renovation project, highlighting how time and place can be interpreted.
James Gibson Swisher, Texas Ranger and signatory of the Texas Declaration of Independence, built the brick home in 1851 using materials fashioned from a kiln he constructed along the Colorado River. Today, it stands as the second oldest brick residence in Texas, its original foundation now serving as the first floor – a testament to the resourcefulness of frontier craftspeople working with local resources and traditional techniques.
The current owner, driven by a deep appreciation for Austin’s architectural heritage, approached the renovation with reverence. They wanted to be sure the addition would not mimic or be confused with the rare original structure, and instead, it should be true to its time. This philosophy manifests in the contemporary glass structure that frames downtown views and creates an intimate connection with the surrounding landscape.
The landscape design extends onto a rare 1.25-acre urban plot. Native gardens, a prairie roof meadow atop the cabana, and thoughtfully integrated recreational spaces create a sustainable backdrop that spotlights Texas’ natural surroundings while providing contemporary amenities.
When craftsmen discovered charred wood remnants from a 1920s attic fire, rather than discarding these damaged elements, they repurposed them as ceiling material for the ground floor spa bathroom – transforming damage into design. As such, the interiors create a dialogue between different eras. The preserved historic sections embrace a lounge-like atmosphere with rich textures and ambient illumination, while the modern addition offers bright, airy spaces ideal for gathering. A grand spiral staircase connects these four distinct levels.
Visit Michael Hsu Office of Architecture’s website for more information.
Photography by Chase Daniel.
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