Modern house with black brick and wood cladding, surrounded by greenery.

A modern house with a dark exterior featuring black brick and wood cladding, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.

A modern house exterior featuring dark vertical siding and a black brick wall, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
A modern house exterior with dark vertical cladding and a flat roof, surrounded by lush landscaping and a tree with autumn-colored leaves.
A modern exterior view of a house with dark wood siding and large glass windows, featuring a landscaped garden with ferns and trees.
A landscaped outdoor area featuring a tree with red leaves, surrounded by greenery and a concrete pathway. The scene includes a low concrete wall and various plants.
A modern house exterior with dark brick and wood cladding, surrounded by greenery and shaded by a large tree.
A modern exterior view of a house featuring long-format black brick walls and large glass windows. The scene includes a small pool surrounded by greenery and a grassy area. The sky is partly cloudy, and there are trees visible in the background.
A modern home exterior featuring large glass walls opening to an outdoor patio with seating. The structure is clad in dark materials and surrounded by greenery.
A close-up view of a modern exterior featuring vertical wooden slats and a black wall. Sunlight casts shadows across the surfaces, and part of a tree trunk is visible in the background.
A modern living room with a large glass wall overlooking a garden. The room features a brown leather sofa with cushions and a throw, a black grand piano, and a contemporary coffee table. A floor lamp with a round white shade is next to a cushioned chair. The wall is made of dark brick, and a television is mounted on it.
A modern living room with a large glass wall revealing a view of a garden with colorful trees. Inside, there is a grand piano, a beige sofa, a patterned rug, and a wooden chair. A skylight above allows natural light to illuminate the space.
A dining room featuring a round table with a stone base surrounded by modern chairs with metal frames. The wall is covered with a vibrant floral pattern, and a unique layered pendant light hangs above the table. There is also a piece of artwork on the wall.
Interior view of a modern kitchen and dining area with dark wood cabinetry, red backsplash, and a view of a garden through a large window.
A modern kitchen interior featuring dark cabinetry, a sleek black countertop, and a large stainless steel refrigerator. The space is illuminated by a white pendant light and natural light from large glass windows on the left. Wooden flooring adds warmth to the space, and there are three black bar stools at the counter.
A modern interior space featuring a cozy breakfast nook with a wooden table, red cushioned bench, and patterned wall. The room is well-lit with natural light coming through large glass windows, and there are additional chairs around the table. The flooring is wooden, and the ceiling has recessed lighting.
A modern interior space featuring large glass windows with a view of an outdoor area. The room includes two dark-colored chairs, a small side table, and a fireplace. A large plant is placed near the window, and there is a chessboard on the coffee table.
A modern interior space featuring dark brick walls, a wooden floor, and a cozy seating area with a green chair and bookshelves filled with books and a guitar.
A staircase with wooden steps and a white handrail, adorned with decorative wall art resembling small flowers. Large windows on the left allow natural light to illuminate the space.
A cozy bedroom featuring a large bed with white bedding and a textured throw blanket. The room includes a modern chandelier, a large artwork on the wall, and a window offering a view of trees outside. Light wood cabinetry lines one wall, and a patterned rug covers part of the floor.
A minimalist interior space featuring a smooth, gray plaster wall with a metal handrail. A small bench with a towel draped over it is visible, along with a large window allowing natural light to enter. The floor is covered with small, dark blue tiles.
A first floor plan of a modern house featuring labeled areas such as porch, library, entry, living room, dining room, kitchen, media room, bedrooms, and a pool.
Second floor plan of a house showing labeled areas including a catwalk, library office, master bath, master closet, master bedroom, office, and patio.

Story

A bold architectural identity in a traditional neighborhood In the heart of Austin's Tarrytown neighborhood, a striking modern residence emerges, designed by Alterstudio Architecture with interiors by The Renner Project. The house presents a protective black brick and cedar facade, concealing a luminous interior that unfolds around a series of courtyards and gardens. This design harmonizes privacy with openness, engaging with the outdoors while maintaining seclusion from neighboring properties. The architecture is characterized by two sculptural volumes clad in long-format black brick and ebony-stained cedar siding. These materials serve to shield the interior from view. The home creates its own landscape-focused environment between a walled garden facing the street and a central courtyard at the rear. Large custom site-glazed window walls open the interiors toward gardens and outdoor spaces, maintaining an understated appearance through minimal framing. Arrival at the residence is framed by the sweeping branches of a mature Live Oak tree, setting the tone for a sequence of interconnected spaces that reveal themselves gradually. The living spaces are organized around a central courtyard, allowing the outdoors to remain a constant presence. Expansive glass walls create a strong visual connection to gardens while drawing natural light deep into the interior. The dining room introduces a vibrant floral wallcovering, dark wood paneling, and contemporary artwork, creating a sophisticated yet inviting space. The kitchen, defined by custom millwork and honed Absolute Black granite, emphasizes precision and material quality. A two-story screened porch on the eastern side introduces vertical scale, enhancing the sense of openness and connecting multiple levels of the home.

## Design Highlights

Two sculptural volumes clad in black brick and ebony-stained cedar Central courtyard and expansive glass walls for a strong indoor-outdoor connection Vibrant dining room with floral wallcovering and dark wood paneling Custom millwork in the kitchen with honed Absolute Black granite Two-story screened porch with custom steel detailing

## Key Facts

Feature Description
Location Austin, Texas
Architect Alterstudio Architecture
Interior Designer The Renner Project
Structural Engineer MJ Structures
Landscape Design Word + Carr Design Group
Year Completed 2023
Materials Black brick, ebony-stained cedar, glass

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Exterior Cladding: Long-format black brick and ebony-stained cedar siding.
  • Interior Walls: Dark wood paneling and floral wallcovering in the dining room.
  • Flooring: White oak flooring and honed Absolute Black granite in the kitchen.

Materials

  • Brick — Exterior cladding
  • Cedar — Exterior cladding
  • Glass — Windows and walls
  • Wood — Interior flooring and cabinetry
  • Granite — Kitchen countertops

Construction / Systems

  • Facade System: Combination of long-format black brick and ebony-stained cedar siding.
  • Structural System: Custom steel fascia and facade elements.

Products

  • Brick — Corso Brick — by S. Anselmo (Exterior cladding)
  • Cabinetry — Custom Millwork — by Tim Cuddy Cabinetry (Kitchen cabinetry)

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: black, ebony, dark wood tones, white
  • Lighting: Natural light is emphasized with large glass walls and a skylight, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.

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