A Mid Century Masterpiece

Last week I gave a little teaser of my latest listing. The "Butterfly House" designed by A. D. Stenger is sincerely one of my favorite homes in Austin. and here's why. First off, I'm going to assume you are already familiar with Arthur Dallas Stenger. He was a bit of a radical and a visionary and he built a lot of beautiful homes in Austin in the 50's and 60's. This particular one stands out however thanks to its unique roof line. I've heard the inspiration came from a similar roof on the old Austin airport which was designed by another notable firm Fehr and Granger. Its limited use on this house however allows for a beautiful ceiling and bright clerestory windows wrapping all the way around the living room and kitchen area. The rest of the house has some more standard Stenger details like the stacked stone walls (seen both inside and out) and a dramatic cantilever that doubles as a carport.

As brilliant as the home was when it was built, let's be honest an original 1964 home doesn't always meet todays lifestyle and standards. That's why the current owners brought in the experts, architects Rick and Cindy Black who are long time mid century modern enthusiasts and are actively involved in preservation in Austin. Under their careful guidance the home was taken down to the studs and then brought up to current standards. The finishes are beautiful and timeless. The floors were redone with terrazzo tiles, a beautiful free standing kitchen was added and the entertainment center was masterfully hidden behind grain matched walnut panels. Floor plans were updated as well, giving a spacious master bedroom ample storage and an en suite bathroom. Pretty much what I'm saying is it was done right. The way a house this special should be done, and I think the results speak for themselves.