Small update of our Lake Austin renovation project. As the cabin undergoes permitting review, work has commenced on the main house. Over the past two weeks, the crew diligently prepared the home for fresh paint. This involved removing furniture, fixtures, vines, and landscaping, as well as power washing, caulking, and sanding.
In addition to renovating the 1980s cabin, the main house will receive new light fixtures, an extended deck, and overall site improvements.
Excitingly, our project has been accepted by the City of Austin. Despite the neighboring houses falling under Travis County jurisdiction, this home is in the Lake Austin Overlay - which requires review by the City of Austin and other restrictions, like the Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
We eagerly anticipate the upcoming demolition work and look forward to tracking the cabin’s renovation progress.
Project Overview
The first phase of the project is to create an as-built 3D model (more on our technology) for field verification. Over time, the original house was transformed into a secondary cabin.. thus for Motif to generate accurate plans, we kick off the project with a field verified as-built model.
Its a bit time consuming and requires several visits to the property.. but in the end - provides a solid base for renovations documents.
Scope
Our scope is to revitalize and modernize the existing cabin, adjacent to the owner's auxiliary home (built in 2011 by a contactor we often work with - Hausman Homes). The project includes selective demolition, stabilization and a new layout (kitchen, bedrooms, office space, etc). We are also renovating the exterior to compliment the adjacent home (more holistic curb appearance).
Future work includes updating the adjacent home and potentially renovate the existing boat dock.
Project Execution Plan
Standard in all of our proposals, we provide a detailed Project Execution Plan (PXP) to help our clients better understand how we plan to successfully accomplish their project.
Because a majority of our clients do not have prior experience with architects.. a crystal clear proposal and workplan is absolutely necessary. A high level example for this project includes;
Review existing plans
A preliminary survey of the house to document the changes between the original drawings and the current condition (verify selective dimensions).
Document the house in 3d using Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Generate As-built Drawings
Generate Demolition Drawings
Deliver a Sign and Sealed Construction Package based on the following design process;
Code and Permit Review (due diligence)
Schematic Design (concept layout) review
Design Development (more refined drawings)
Finish Boards (samples and suggestions)
50% Construction Drawings (to be reviewed by a structural engineer or Contractor)
HOA approval (required)
Issue the final Construction Drawings for Permit
Coordinate with the owner's Contractor of choice
Site Observation Visits and Progress Reports
Paint Selection
Our project aimed to subtly connect the main house with the cabin, despite their distinct architectural styles. With nearly 30 years between their constructions, we intentionally avoided merging them into a single entity. Instead, we opted for two distinct paint schemes, preserving the individuality of each dwelling.
Paint Study
Our journey began with a neutral color palette that harmonized with both homes. Rachel, our primary designer, seamlessly integrated these colors into our 3D model, exploring various design schemes.
Next, we engaged with our client to review the proposed colors and their placement on the house. Together, we narrowed down the options. The contractor then ordered several samples, which we applied to the side of the house.
This crucial step allowed us to assess how the colors interacted with materials, textures, lighting conditions, and shadows. Once our final selection was made, we conveyed clear instructions to the contractor through easy-to-read exhibits.
To learn more about our this project, please check out our write up.
