This gorgeous residence is situated atop a skyscraper in Austin, Texas: a city known for its vibrant colors and matching personality. The home is spacious (over 5,000 square feet) and is surrounded by soaring sights of the skyline. Charmed by the incredible views and immense potential, the owners purchased this space in 2019 as a white box. With the opportunity to customize this downtown home to perfectly fit their lifestyle, the owners hired a team of talented craftspeople to make this space what it is today.
Read on to learn more about this project and view the full photo gallery here.
Beginning with a Blank Slate
Working from a blank slate brings a unique level of complexity and customization to this project. The unit was purchased with nearly endless potential, as a large, open space with exterior walls and windows. Flooring, plumbing, fixtures, interior walls, electrical fixtures, and of course furnishings and decor, were to be determined. The client hired the skilled team at McWalters Collaborative to oversee the architectural and interior design of the home, and the construction professionals at Crowell Builders to bring the space to life. Alongside these and other superior trade partners, Haas Home Technologies was brought in to the project to complete infrastructure wiring and trim, audio/video control, climate control integration, lighting control, motorized shades and drapery, sound engineering, and a data network system. Given the state of this new 5,000 square foot condo, the owners enjoyed the originality of building a new home with the luxury of an established location downtown.
The blank slate was transformed into a home perfectly customized for the family’s lifestyle and taste. Plenty of space for gathering with guests, maximization of natural light, places to work and relax, and an intuitive control system. The 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath home is truly one-of-a-kind!
See full gallery of project photos here.
A Panoramic View
There is no shortage of windows in this downtown condo! The entire floorplan is elongated along the building’s exterior, meaning almost every square foot is energized with natural light. From the dining room, the view overlooks the entire city and across the Colorado River. The team at McWalters Collaborative designed the architecture to maximize the window space in every room, and ensure the most breathtaking sights are shared in communal areas like the dining and family rooms where people will gather and spend the most time.
With abundant natural light comes the need for lighting control. Haas integrated both natural and artificial lighting control in this home to ensure the client can enjoy their panoramic view and create a cozy environment to settle in. When it is time to turn in for the evening and separate from the hustle and bustle of the city, the client can completely change the environment in their home with motorized shades and drapery. In their master bedroom, the clients wanted the option of complete darkness for proper rest. With just a touch of the button on the night stand, the blackout drapes quietly close and wrap the room in relaxation. When it’s time to wake up, they can just as easily re-introduce sunshine into their space for an energizing morning. Lutron Sivoia QS shading solutions make this control intuitive and seamless. The team at Haas Home Technologies designed and integrated 40 custom drapery tracks to provide this level of comfort amongst the expansive skyline. To fit the intricacies of the architecture, Haas designed individual Lutron shading solutions throughout the home for both small windowed corridors and wide, full-view displays. No two rooms were the same, so the flexibility of a custom designed shading solution was key.
Natural lighting control was important for the client not only for room darkening in sleeping areas, but also for privacy, climate control, and controlling harsh glares. These clients can find their perfect balance in every room for any occasion. Some of the drapery tracks, such as those in the dining room, contain only sheers so the client can control the harshness and heat from the light without losing the incredible view. Other rooms have sheers and drapes which move independently to give the residents their preferred level of control for any scenario. Lutron Palladiom keypads throughout the home make it easy to control the shades and lighting fixtures and seamlessly blend into the home’s luxurious decor.
Entertainment Immersion
A robust data network system was important for these clients whose study includes a fully customized, integrated desk and an 85’’ Sony Smart TV. Haas also installed a Crestron NVX video distribution system and Crestron SWAMP audio distribution throughout the home for entertainment immersion in every room. Origin Acoustics speakers and subwoofers are hidden within the ceiling clouds providing a non-stop, invisible sound environment. Mounted, in-set, and mirror TV screens complete the home’s visual experience. Automation is at the heart of this system which is fully integrated and controlled via flush touch screens and control panels throughout. These tools empower the client to effortlessly modify each room’s mood, ambiance, and entertainment while conserving energy.
Fully delivering the complete sound environment these clients desired meant factoring in ambient noise from Austin busy night-life streets below. With being in such a prime location, some unwanted sounds from traffic and other nearby venues is to be expected. Haas designed a sound-masking system with a sound generator and acoustical sound absorption material and had an acoustical engineer measure sound before and after installation to ensure success of the system. The unwanted noise is effectively removed to provide a more calm-inducing environment for the clients and allow for their home audio system to truly flourish.
The Home Technology Association recently published an article explaining how bad home acoustics can lead to negative health consequences over time. With people spending more time at home these days, creating a home that supports health and wellness through acoustical design, amongst other technology innovations, is a priority. These clients invested in their wellness by creating a home environment where they can let their guards down and find their highest levels of comfort.
See full gallery of project photos here.
Being at the top
Success coordinating logistics on this project was only possible due to strong relationships between Haas Home Technologies and colleagues at McWalters Collaborative and Crowell Builders. Being at the top of a high rise brings an element of challenge to any project; many trips up and down the service elevator with equipment, tools, and a collection of other tradespeople can be cumbersome in any scenario. Then enters: global pandemic. Once work was allowed to resume, conscientious rules were in place to guarantee safety. At one point during this home’s remodel, the building allowed a mere 30-minute window at the beginning of the day to use the service elevator for bringing in supplies. To say this work was completed under precarious conditions would be an understatement. Fortunately, with constant communication between all of the trades working hard to make this home perfect, the project progressed without delay.
Modern luxury homes like this gorgeous penthouse condo in Austin, Texas are made up of unique architecture, thoughtful design, and intuitive technology. Alongside driven clients, top-notch craftspeople bring these spaces to life, turning them into perfectly customized homes for comfort and enjoyment. This home is concealed within the city and bursting with color, life, and opportunity within.