Downsize & upgrade Austin TX

8 years ago

In 5 years our kids will be leaving for college. We plan to build a smaller home. It will be less square footage; but individual room will be bigger. We will have less number of rooms. We live in tract home now and will custom build the next. So, I think this is downsizing but upgrading.

We are thinking to start designing and building process mid 2021, and to finish in early 2023.

We already have a couple of building site candidates. Two of the lots close to downtown, but kind of small. We are leaning towards the one in suburb. It is 20+ miles to downtown and it will take 40 minutes to drive to Austin airport if no traffic.

We are still looking for the possible sites in the next 3 years. In the meantime, we are debating what styles, features, and rooms we want. I would keep this thread to post ideas and solicit feedbacks.

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PRO

Mark Bischak, Architect

8 years ago

The most important thing to do at this point is to have your kids get good grades and full ride scholarships.

Start talking to architects now. Be honest with them about your plans and timeline. They will give you good information on what where when and how.

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Comments (12)

Ronny
8 years ago
Can you give more information on the lot? Size, hills, views, water, streets, etc.
corwinswan
8 years ago
I got it, tiny shipping container with a barn door!
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One Devoted Dame
8 years ago
I got it, tiny shipping container with a barn door!

Keep Austin Weird.
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
8 years ago
Find someone of obvious design talent and tour sites, exploring possibilities and limitations. Good luck!
Hill Country Home
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I am not sure whether it's a good idea to get architects involved now. We will start the process in the middle of 2021.

We do want to plan the layout ourselves now.
One Devoted Dame
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
In the meantime, we are debating what styles, features, and rooms we want.

Sooooo, do you have any inspiration photos to share??? :-D

Are you considering our vernacular style, Hill Country? I've seen some really great historically inspired Hill Country, as well as more contemporary HC, homes. It's a really neat style.
User
8 years ago
An architect gives you the layout you want. Only better. They give you what you didn’t know you wanted. Sorta like the iPhone, or horseless carriage.
Hill Country Home
Original Author
8 years ago
Sophie Wheeler

i understand what architects do. Just don't know whether I should start working with them this early.

One Devoted Dame

I like contemporary more. But first want to get layout correct.
One Devoted Dame
8 years ago
I like contemporary more. But first want to get layout correct.

It's all interconnected (or should be). I agree with Mr. Mark, it's not too early to hunt for architects now. It's also not too early to figure out your style. :-D
jmm1837
8 years ago
"We do want to plan the layout ourselves now."

You can't really plan the layout without knowing where you're going to be building. For example, a lovely plan for a house facing south on a flat lot could be a nightmare for a house facing west on a slope. There will be issues like views, access, setbacks and the trajectory of the sun at different times of the day and the year that will impact on the layout. Without knowing where you're going to build, you can't really take those factors into account.

What you can do now is start reading about good house design ("The Not So Big House" is a good place to start). And then think about out what your needs are, what your wants are, and collect ideas about styles that you like. Let your architect do what he's paid to do - design a house that suits your lot, your lifestyle and your pocket.
cpartist
8 years ago
Being that the best architects, designers and builders may be 1 or 2 years out with work right now, it is a good idea to find one who you can work with now. An architect can be invaluable, not only for drawing up your dream house, but also for helping you select a lot.