Since its inception in 2005, Austin Home has been dedicated to highlighting Central Texas architecture and design in each issue. This year, they launched the inaugural Home & Design Awards to highlight and honor the best Austin-area companies in the industry. A distinguished panel of nationally and internationally recognized professionals judged entries in more than 50 categories.
"Instead of ranking the entries ourselves, we assembled a national panel of renowned design figures such as Queer Eye’s resident interior designer, Bobby Berk, and Rehab Addict’s host, Nicole Curtis, to judge the submissions." Madeline Hollern, Editor-in-Chief
The independent panel of five judges based their decisions on each entry's presentation of images as well as a project description discussing design challenges, design solutions, and all other pertinent aspects of the project. Winners were recently announced in a live, virtual awards presentation and featured in the current Spring 2021 issue of Austin Home. Cornerstone Architects is honored to have outstanding projects awarded in the following categories:
Home in the Hill Country: Spicewood Residence
The goal for this hill country contemporary home was to work with the land and existing trees to create the clients’ forever home with plenty of space and a Texas-sized hill country view. The design nestles the home within the existing live oak trees and includes a patio designed around a large live oak next to the pool. The lot ensured a south exposure and land that would slope down away from the house, allowing the best sun angles to contribute to the passive solar design and encourage gentle summer breezes from the southeast to accelerate up the hill and sweep through the rear outdoor living area while using the evaporative properties of the pool to add to the comfort on the lanai. Natural light and open spaces were key elements and remote-controlled operable transom windows were incorporated to act as a thermal chimney to cool off the main rooms. Warm and natural materials, integrated with contemporary elements give the casual home stylish, yet rustic appeal.
Traditional Architecture over 3,500 sf: Ledge Mountain Residence
Designed for family life and entertaining, this transitional home sits on a large sloped site with stunning northwest hills views and nature trails running along Bull Creek. Following the contours of the land, the home was designed to maximize natural lighting and take full advantage of the vistas beyond and features a beautiful indoor/outdoor living area that extends to the pool. While keeping privacy in mind, the recessed entry with steel and glass front doors leads into a light and airy two-story foyer highlighting views to the back. The home’s clean lines and simple forms with timeless aesthetics, combined with warm interiors and material selections give the home an aura of true approachable luxury.
Specialty Room: West Ridge Gym
The design for this modern, glass gym addition was driven by the goal to maximize the views of the beautiful seven acre property, and allow the clients to be surrounded by nature while working out. Another key objective was to match the context of the existing traditional exterior of the home while incorporating a sleek, modern addition. Access to the 650 square foot gym begins through a hallway and up a small set of steps from the newly remodeled master closet (which also won an award for Best Closet in a separate entry submitted by the builder, Bonterra Build). A narrow glass hallway and stone mass then leads to the gym, which opens up on three sides with massive floor to ceiling windows and doors. Each of the 24-foot wide doors along the sides pocket into the stone mass leaving an unobstructed view to the hill country beyond.
We love being a part of the amazing local design community here in Austin and among the winners of the inaugural Home & Design Awards! Be sure to grab a copy of the current issue of Austin Home today to see all of the winning entries!
