Each year, the AIA Austin Design Awards program seeks to recognize outstanding architectural projects by members and to promote public interest in architectural excellence. This year, Miró Rivera Architects took home two awards: a Citation of Honor for the 1917 Bungalow (Austin, 2009) and the top Honor Award for the Ranch Operations buildings (Texas Hill Country, 2010).
Located near Austin’s historic Clarksville neighborhood, the 1917 Bungalow is one in a series of historic homes whose first owners were freed slaves. The original ceiling coffers, windows, trims and long-leaf pine floors were retained and the walls were restored to their original wood plank siding. The new wing, conceived as a long, simple volume creates a dialogue with the existing house. Large glass sliding doors and floor-to-ceiling windows create a direct connection to two prominent oak trees and a new lap pool while allowing natural light into the spaces.
The Ranch Operations buildings explore the juxtaposition of simple utilitarian structures against the Hill Country landscape. Designed with a common 16’ module, the structural layout for the three buildings is identical, leaving manipulation of the skin system as the primary vehicle for meeting the programmatic needs for the project.
Congratulations to Miró Rivera Architects and all 2011 Award recipients for such great work. To learn more about their firm please visit them at http://www.mirorivera.com/
