Austin's renowned architecture scene takes center stage once again as the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Austin prepares to host its 39th annual Homes Tour on October 25 and 26, 2025. This year's event features 10 distinctive residential projects that showcase the city's most innovative approaches to home design and renovation, ranging from reimagined historic properties to cutting-edge accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
The diverse collection of homes demonstrates various perspectives on building and renovating in one of America's fastest-growing cities. Highlights include a midcentury-modern renovation of a 1980s model home, a historic bungalow restoration featuring a monolithic concrete ADU, a glamorous new construction inspired by New York's architectural landscape, and an experimental ADU designed as a primary residence that explores alternative urban living concepts.
Visitors will have the opportunity to chart their own courses through different Austin neighborhoods, meeting the architects and designers responsible for bringing these visionary projects to life. The tour offers an intimate look at how contemporary design principles are being applied to address the unique challenges and opportunities of Austin's rapidly evolving urban landscape.
Among the featured properties, Casa Colibri by Ravel Architecture stands out as a 4,000-square-foot retreat seamlessly integrated into a hillside. The home's lower level is carved into the natural slope, blending the architecture with the landscape while preserving the existing tree canopy. The upper floor extends into the treetops, creating a luminous, terrarium-like environment that offers both tranquility and privacy.
The Govalle Homestead by Russ Design Studio represents a thoughtful approach to multigenerational living. This renovation of a 1938 East Austin home creates two contemporary structures on a single lot, designed to accommodate three generations of family. The street-facing primary residence maintains its historic facade to blend with the neighborhood character, while the rear structure features a distinctly modern Cor-Ten steel envelope.
Side Angle Side's Harvey House project exemplifies sensitive historic preservation combined with contemporary addition. Working with a 1935 bungalow in the historic Rosewood neighborhood, the architects used archival photos and architectural drawings to guide their renovation while inserting a contextually appropriate modern element. Salvaged materials from the original house were thoughtfully reincorporated throughout the project, preserving the home's authentic character.
Perhaps the most innovative entry is the Stealth House by Specht Novak, which challenges conventional residential design through its ADU-as-primary-residence concept. This highly efficient 1,100-square-foot home maximizes its compact site within a dense neighborhood. Due to its alley location with frequent foot traffic, the architects eliminated perimeter windows entirely, instead using inward-facing glazing to frame two internal courtyards that flood the interior with natural light.
The Sterling Cooper Residence by Candace Wong Architecture & Design transforms a dated 1981 modular Acorn Deck House into a sophisticated modern home. Inspired by the midcentury aesthetic of the television series "Mad Men," the renovation creates bright, open interiors while introducing new architectural elements including a floating stair and infinity pool that enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Mell Lawrence Architects' Sugar Creek Residence demonstrates how renovation and addition can work in harmony with natural site conditions. The project reimagines an existing home and adds a new guest house, both designed to complement the wooded, sloping terrain. The main house renovation focuses on transparency, featuring a dramatically opened second-level ceiling, while the concrete guest house creates a visual dialogue with the main home's concrete foundation.
The Timberline Residence by AParallel Architecture addresses the needs of growing families through its courtyard-centered design. Located minutes from downtown Austin, the home creates a safe, sunny central play area for children while drawing materials from the Texas landscape, including locally quarried limestone walls and responsibly sourced cedar siding that will age gracefully over time.
Studio Momentum's Travis Heights Residence showcases sensitive site planning by building around a large existing live oak tree. This ground-up construction creates a quiet, shaded courtyard between the main house and a new ADU. While the street-facing exterior respects the area's historic architectural vernacular, the modern interiors feature carefully curated antique and reclaimed furniture that adds personality to every room.
The Valburn Residence by Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects represents an ambitious attempt to recreate the varied urban environments of New York within Austin's traditional architectural context. The design process incorporated research into everything from high-rise penthouses and downtown lofts to city alleys. The result is a surprising structure that presents as a modest brick building from the street while revealing expansive glass surfaces and sweeping views within.
Completing the tour is Vista Lane by Cuppett Kilpatrick Architecture & Interior Design, a home that balances contemporary restraint with traditional warmth. The precisely detailed design eschews unnecessary ornamentation in favor of gentle curves and rolled edges that replace standard moldings, creating an interior atmosphere of approachable sophistication that serves as a refined backdrop for daily family life.
This year's AIA Austin Homes Tour continues the organization's tradition of showcasing how thoughtful design can address contemporary living challenges while respecting local architectural heritage. The event provides both professionals and design enthusiasts with valuable insights into current trends in residential architecture, from sustainable building practices to innovative space utilization in urban environments. Participants can expect to gain inspiration from these diverse approaches to creating homes that respond to Austin's unique climate, topography, and cultural identity.
