Spanish Revival

Spanish revival architecture has a lengthy history in the United States. Though out the last 100 years there have been periods of renaissance in Spanish architecture.

Spanish revival architecture is popular in Austin, and current residential building reflects this significant trend. This style encompasses most architecture with a stone/stucco exterior and a red barrel tile roof including: Spanish Hacienda, Tuscan, Santa Barbara, Mediterranean, and Floridian.

In Austin, Tuscan homes tend to utilize more stone than Spanish Hacienda which are primarily stucco with large covered porches. For convenience, many homes listed below as Mediterranean reflect only certain characteristics of this style.


European

European influenced architecture has a lengthy history in the United States. During the last 100 years there have been numerous periods of renaissance in European architecture.

Although Austin architecture has never had a strong european influence, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio all have beautiful communities reflecting a european style. For simplicity, the list below is divided into French Country, English Country, and a general European category.

In Austin, European and French Country homes are common in Barton Creek, Davenport Ranch, West Rim, and the Summit.


Texas Regional

Texas Regional architecture is a sophisticated style reflective of modern living, yet utilizing local materials and regional design techniques. Not to be confused with Texas Country homes that are typical in the Hill Country.

Although local stone is widely used in regional design, rammed earth, stucco, and wood siding all complement regional landscape and provide attractive, environmentally friendly, functional alternatives. More contemporary designs utilize metal brackets with awnings, and no divided-lite windows are common.


Southwestern

Southwestern style architecture, generally synonymous with adobe construction, is elegantly attractive and comfortable to live in.

The Poling Residence and Johnson Residence are contemporary adaptations of the southwestern style, and the Demers Residence '2002 Cool Homes Tour' and the Seiler Residence are more traditional interpretations.

The thick walls characteristic of this style utilize highly energy efficient wall systems including 'rastra' or 'rammed earth.'


Contemporary

Contemporary refers to floor plans and designs developed with modern living in mind, but not utilizing a modern style of architecture. These are comfortable homes in a variety of styles.


Texas Country

Texas Country architecture is very popular in Austin and the Hill Country. The common use of Austin white limestone has lead to a backlash.

A more sophisticated style, Texas Regional, is also influenced by local materials, but tends to be more modern and elegant, compared to its Country cousin.

There is a fairly strong backlash against Austin white limestone because of its overuse. Most Texas Country homes that we design now include a more blended stone with what is called luders and tans.
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