In a leafy Austin neighbourhood, a 1950s ranch house has been transformed into something far brighter and more expansive. Specht Novak were tasked with renovating a suburban home built in 1955, while also adding an entirely new second storey. The result is a modern family house that feels open, light-filled and closely connected to its surroundings, without erasing its past.
The original home was a classic of its era. Designed by Page Sullivan Page in the 1950s, it was a sprawling single-storey structure with small windows and walls clad entirely in Texas limestone. Like many ranch houses of the time, it sat low to the ground and turned inward, prioritizing privacy over light and views.
Rather than demolish what was there, the architects chose to build on top of it. A new cantilevered second storey was added, instantly giving the house more height and presence. This upper level is wrapped in walls of glass and paired with a continuous planter wall, softening the modern addition and helping it sit comfortably within the treed setting.
Step inside and the shift from old to new becomes immediately clear. A double-height vaulted entryway creates a sense of arrival, with a shou sugi ban accent adding warmth and texture. From here, guests are guided naturally through the home, with clear sightlines and a feeling of openness that did not exist in the original layout.
The lower floor is anchored by a large kitchen designed for everyday living and entertaining. Countertop-height serving windows open directly onto the pool terrace, blurring the line between indoors and out. This space becomes the social heart of the home, connecting cooking, dining and outdoor gatherings with ease.
Outside, the backyard unfolds across multiple levels. A bocce court sits alongside a swimming pool, turning the garden into an extension of the living space. The landscaping is deliberately low-maintenance, allowing the architecture and surrounding treescape to take centre stage.
Back inside, the dining area sits adjacent to the stairs. A round table and an artistic chandelier give the space a sculptural quality, while its position near the circulation areas keeps it closely tied to the rest of the house.
Upstairs, the living room is flooded with natural light thanks to the expansive windows that wrap the new level. Elevated above the original structure, this space feels immersed in the landscape, with views stretching out toward the trees.
Those same windows continue into the bedroom areas, where they frame views of the planter walls and the treetops beyond. The effect is calm and immersive, reinforcing the connection between the home and its natural surroundings.
By preserving the limestone perimeter and layering a modern glass addition above it, Specht Novak have reimagined a mid-century ranch house for modern day life. The renovation adds light, height and space, while still respecting the history of the original home.