Originally built in 1950, this mid-century house was a compact 750-square-foot structure on a standard infill lot in East Austin. Architect Jamie Chioco – Chioco Design – purchased it as his first home two decades ago and lived there for 17 years. From the beginning, he intended to remodel—adding a second bedroom and bathroom—but the idea remained on hold while he focused on his architecture practice.
Design work happened in stages, often during off-hours. By 2016, Chioco had developed several schematic options. All were functional and affordable, but none fully met his expectations. The original house was modest—simple rectangular form, gabled roof, steel casement windows, and wood siding later covered with asbestos tiles, typical of its era. Despite its simplicity, integrating an addition, introducing more natural light, and improving the connection to the garden proved difficult.
The breakthrough came with a concept involving two staggered rectangular volumes that appear to slide past one another. This configuration allowed for distinct zones within the floor plan and defined both a front entry courtyard and a rear patio with a pool—conceived as outdoor rooms that extend the interior living space.
The primary entrance sits at the juncture between the volumes, marked by two 10-foot tall wood and glass sliding doors. Visitors experience both outdoor areas immediately upon entry, reinforcing the house’s relationship with the landscape.
Internally, the home employs an open plan, but the staggered geometry helps define each area—living, kitchen, and den—as distinct. Custom steel corner windows open the interior to the landscape, making the 2,000-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom home feel expansive and fluid.
The street-facing façade is carefully composed. A brick-clad volume with full-height steel corner windows sits above vertical Ipe wood slats that enclose the front courtyard. A steel planter floats above, adding a subtle layer of detail. This screened enclosure provides privacy from the street while allowing cross-breezes through the sliding doors. Scale and proportion were key considerations.
Many of the neighbouring homes remain in their original 1950s condition, and it was important for Chioco—long a resident of the neighbourhood—that the house not overwhelm its context. The result is a design that’s clearly contemporary yet respectful of its surroundings.
The material palette was deliberately restrained. Light earth-tone brick, ground concrete floors, marble countertops, and white oak cabinetry form the core finishes. The kitchen island is wrapped in porcelain tile from Ann Sacks, chosen for its handmade quality. The back wall of the kitchen is finished in Venetian plaster, which catches light from a full-length skylight above, creating shifting patterns throughout the day.
In the guest bathroom, full-height soft blue tiles—also from Ann Sacks—are paired with a skylight above the shower to bring in natural light. Vintage sconces flank a gold-framed mirror that once belonged to Elizabeth’s grandmother, while the marble vanity sits on a custom powder-coated steel base, colour-matched to the adjacent hall and guest bedroom walls.
Energy efficiency was a key focus. With ample daylight throughout, artificial lighting is rarely needed during daytime hours. Roof and wall insulation consists of high-performance closed-cell spray foam, while a high-efficiency rooftop air-conditioning unit keeps utility costs low. Thanks to thoughtful orientation, southwest breezes often cool the house naturally.
The interiors were mostly furnished with pieces the couple already owned. Chioco’s collection of mid-century modern furniture includes Eames wire chairs, an LCW, a Saarinen Womb chair, and a Tulip dining table. These sit comfortably alongside Elizabeth’s collection of barrel chairs, coffee tables, and side tables, creating a lived-in, eclectic mix.
Their art collection reflects a similar approach—photographs, paintings, and found objects gathered over time. After living on the property for many years, Chioco developed a deep understanding of how the house interacted with light, weather, and its surroundings. This remodel was about respecting that history while shaping a home fit for the present.
