The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Mid-sized trendy single-wall light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Austin with a drop-in sink, open cabinets, light wood cabinets, limestone countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

CAST architecture
Example of a small trendy master concrete floor bedroom design in Seattle with gray walls and no fireplace

Photo: Claire Esparros for Homepolish
Home yoga studio - home yoga studio idea in New York

Example of a trendy gray tile gray floor and double-sink bathroom design in Salt Lake City with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Denver with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
Kitchen - mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and marble backsplash

Photographed by the uber-talented Mark Menjivar. A darling room for a darling girl. We updated her bedroom suite with new paint, new wallpaper, new bedding and new furniture. Inspired by a teenager's desire to grow up, we mixed texture and color to form a sophisticated setting without sacrificing the fun.

Eric Roth Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless guest carpeted and green floor bedroom remodel in Boston with blue walls

Transitional family room is tranquil and inviting The blue walls with luscious furnishings make it very cozy. The gold drum chandelier and gold accents makes this room very sophisticated. The decorative pillows adds pop of colors with the custom area rug. The patterns in the custom area rug and pillows, along with the blue walls makes it all balance. The off white rustic console adds flare and a perfect size for large Media wall T.V. The gold console lamps frames the Media center perfect. The gold floor lamps, and and gold chandelier brings a contemporary style into this space. The Large square ottoman in a neutral grey offsetting the carpet color makes it nice to prop up your feet. The gold drink tables in quite trendy and so functional and practical.

Doug Petersen Photography
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized traditional galley light wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Boise with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, a peninsula, quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances

Robert Brewster Photography
Garage - farmhouse detached two-car garage idea in Providence

Example of a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kitchen/dining room combo - cottage medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Boston

David Tsay for HGTV Magazine
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal multicolored floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Los Angeles with white walls

Transitional l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in Miami with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Living room off the kitchen reclaimed wood floors, plaster walls, custom furnshings and window treatments - stone facing on fireplace, metal cabinetry flanking fireplace and wrap around sectional sofa

Example of a cottage chic deck design in Boston

Example of a transitional multicolored tile powder room design in Austin with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, an undermount sink and white countertops