This Barton Heights family has a sleek, modern home—in the interior that is. After several interior renovations, this family decided to hire a local design-build firm to create a new modern front entry and porch that best reflected their modern interior. Wanting to move away from the traditional rustic exterior, the project designer offered a new, modern scheme using the existing door as a focal point.

The first steps were to remove the old materials, including the limestone columns and walls, timber frame detail and pitched roof. The only thing that remained was the limestone patio. The new design brings different textures and colors. Limestone is reused, but only on one wall to match the existing stone floor. Metal siding on the back wall brings in a smooth, metallic texture to the space and is exceptionally executed. However, the standout feature of the new exterior remodel is the cantilevered roof with sealed tiger wood ceiling. With all finishes harmonizing together, they set the home apart from its neighbors.

The most challenging aspect of the renovation was building the cantilever roof, which required coordination and planning with a structural engineer. Once the old limestone walls were removed, a new steel structure to support the roof was tied into the home and then clad over with limestone and siding to make it appear that the roof is floating.

At times, it may not be executing the construction that’s challenging, but the materials used. In this case, the engineer specified a certain steel for the new support and roof. Due to a steel shortage, time was taken by the engineer to reevaluate the needs, and they were able to provide a steel substitute which required few changes to the support design.

To tie the existing home to the new front entry, shutters and detail trim were removed for a sleeker look. The entire house was painted, including the garage door, and new rain chains were installed. An identity crisis no longer, this south Austin home feels like itself inside and out.