The home office is modern in design but blends well with the client's cottage, built in 1920, and his eclectic neighborhood in Austin. Here, the woman of the house relaxes outside of the office studio with a friend while the couple's Labrador, Dealer, watches. The studio's wood siding and compact volume are perfectly at home in the backyard; they respect its surrounding environment and remain unobtrusive. "Austin doesn't require permits for backyard additions that are under 200 square feet, so a studio like this is ideal for someone like Joey, who, like many people who work from home today, realize the importance of being present in both their family and work lives," says Speciale.