Renovating a Ranch-Style Home into Modern! The Backyard Terrace is Absolutely Unique!!!

The house located in Austin, United States, is the result of a renovation carried out by co(X)ist Studio. It is referred to as the Y House due to the additional Y-shaped mass at the end of the house. This house sits on a spacious 590-square-meter land and was renovated in 2014.

Front of the house before renovation

Originally designed in a ranch-style in 1962, this house had a typical house shape with wooden panels as a hallmark of ranch style. The renovation transformed it into a more modern and natural look. The spacious yard allowed for additional spaces to be added to the house.

Backyard terrace

This modern style gives a fresh look to the surroundings. The house is designed to offer facilities for daily activities and for the homeowners to work.

Transformation of building mass design

The addition began by introducing a square-shaped mass at the end of the building, which was then divided in the middle to create the Y-shape. The divided part was then reshaped and turned into a comfortable private space.

End of the room corridor

The division of the mass created a courtyard at the end of the corridor. This feature is advantageous as it allows the door at the end of the corridor to serve as a source of natural light and provide views of the outside surroundings into the house.

House plan

From the front of the house, you can see two doors. One leads to the living room, and the other leads to the workspace. However, both rooms are connected by the kitchen area. The open design is evident with no partitions between the living room and dining area.

Living/family room and dining area

The dining area opens up to the backyard terrace, creating a fresh and natural atmosphere in this space. The wide openings to the outdoors also promote good air circulation, allowing hot air to escape. With the front of the house also featuring wide openings, cross-ventilation is facilitated.

Children's bedroom

The house has three equally sized bedrooms and a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom at the end of the building. The master bedroom also features large sliding windows that connect directly to the backyard terrace.

The children's bedrooms are designed to be enjoyable with various colors and comfortable furniture. From the shoes to the play area, everything is designed to be safe and playful.

Backyard terrace

On the backyard terrace, there are various seating and furniture options for relaxation. One unique feature of this terrace is the tree that has been allowed to grow naturally, with openings in the terrace and roof to accommodate the tree. This kind of design is a model for harmonizing architecture with nature, as it doesn't harm the environment.

Family room and kitchen

As for the workspace inside the house, it originally served as a garage. This workspace functions as a studio for the homeowner, who is an architect. It provides a space for meetings with clients and work. The room, connected to the house, allows clients to see the house as one of the designs created by the architect.

Back of the house

The house uses recycled materials from its original structure. The wood used for the terrace area and chairs is made from the original house's wood. The house is also filled with natural light from windows and skylights, reducing the need for electricity.

Kitchen and outdoor BBQ area

The transformation of this house from a ranch-style design to a modern one is truly unique. Both the front and back of the house are beautifully designed with diverse facades, avoiding a monotonous appearance. The design takes nature into account, demonstrating how architecture can be harmonized with the environment. Such environmentally friendly design serves as a model for modern architectural designs.

source: Y house