Modern sense and sensibilities: A sneak peek at over 15 houses on the Modern Home Tour Austin

Sleek lines, organic curves, bold pops of color and enough wood to stretch to the moon back; it's time for another chance to peruse gorgeous architecture in person: the Modern Home Tour Austin is Saturday, Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Modern Home Tour aims to promote urban growth of the progressive, responsible kind by highlighting those modern homes that are designed by local architects and designers and marketed by local real estate professionals. Sprinkled around the city (they have a map plus information on each home on the website), you're free to discover them on your own pace. 

These are homes that look great to the eye and feed the soul with sustainable or smartly-designed elements to them. The founder of the tour is Krisstina Wise, CEO of The GoodLife Team, and she's worked in conjunction with folks behind Launch787.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and will get you into not only the 16 properties on the tour but also access to the Modern Home Tour After Party and Architect Panel at TreeHouse from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The homes themselves were curated by Ingrid Spencer, former managing editor and current contributing editor for Architectural Record magazine in New York City, and she really was able to pull together a varied group of architectural talent and modern sensibilities. 

In case you can't make it to the tour or you just can't stop nerding out on juicy architecture photos and descriptions, we've up rounded the 16 properties, provided the necessary details and shared what drool-causing-extra-cool-factors we think you should keep your eyes peeled for as you bask in the best of modern Austin architecture this Feb. 4.

Could this be the perfect pre-Valentine's date for a design lover? Yes, yes it could.  

4502 Balcones Drive is the kind of architecture that might make you veer off the road if you first spotted it while driving a car. What you'll see on the tour isn't actually the original lot's structure: there first stood a home built in 1957 by Jonathan Bowman and it was stylish, cozy, cramped, unsalvageable and not quite right for the new owners. So architect Elizabeth Alford of Pollen Architecture & Design designed a new home that paid homage to the old structure but re-imagined the home for the future.

The floor plan was kept similar but with a little extra space in the back. The site's layout was kept relatively intact and original limestone rubble walls full of character saved. The design is new, but the feel is rich, sophisticated, modern and earthy.

And even cooler than all these aesthetic considerations? The house totally was awarded a 5-stars rating from Austin Energy’s Green Building program.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: An exterior clad entirely in straight-grain pine. You're going to want to take this house into your arms when you see it.

Pay special attention for: The fact that most of the windows slide all the way to one side, letting air flow into the space and a feeling of being connected to the lovely natural surroundings outside.

Architect: Elizabeth Alford (Pollen Architecture & Design)
Interior Designer: Elizabeth Alford (Pollen Architecture & Design)
Square Footage: 2,800 sq ft

When you roll up to 3103 Highland Terrace West, you might see the slight stone facade, low roofline and heavy horizontal feel to the exterior and think this home was built in the Mid-Century. Well, you'd be right.

This is a complete remodel of a nearly-original Mid-Century Modern home and it would probably be perfect for watching the next season of "Mad Men" in.

A new master wing was added in the remodel bumping the size up to 2,300 square feet that flow real nice. Designing the remodel was architect Christian Binham of Square House Building, and you can tell there was a lot of thought put into a space that carries surprising details that might catch your eye while you're walking through.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: 450 square feet of covered patio with ceiling fans so large and awesome you could probably make extra money renting it out for weddings.

Pay special attention to: How the architect was able to build around those gorgeous oak trees.

Architect: Christian Binham (Square House Building)
Interior Designer: Christian Binham (Square House Building)
Square Footage: 2,300 sq ft

One of the biggest downsides to some modern homes is that fish bowl effect: feeling like everyone can see into your home when there are lots of big glass windows. Well the home at 701 W. Elizabeth Street takes privacy seriously, and no we don't mean they just built a house without windows.

AlterStudio Architects designed a concept for the builder and home owner Richard White that would embody all the important aspects to privacy (like people not being able to gawk at you through glass windows from the street) but did so in way that allows for plenty of natural light to keep streaming in.

We don't want to ruin the whole surprise, but it involves a (good-looking) concrete wall. The house clocks in at 2,150 square feet,  three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: Outdoor kitchen! Custom concrete wall water-pouring feature!

Pay special attention to: How proper architectural orientation can really rock a structure's world; take note of how the home was laid out and how it interacts with the landscape and yard features.

Builder and Home Owner: Richard White (Abode Modern Homes)
Concept Design: AlterStudio Architects
Square Footage: 2,150 sq ft

It's going to be hard to walk into 1103 Live Oak Ridge Road and not feel like you're stepping into the future. The place is huge (at 5,500 square feet it's the biggest on the tour) so you'll want to be sure you don't get lost while you're in there; though it might look like the place might have robot butlers we don't actually think it does.

In all seriousness, architect Scott Specht really did a startling job creating a home on a challenging site (there are lots of stunning oak trees that dot the property).

But this wasn't a home started from scratch: Previously a 1960s French Style house with a mansard roof was on the property, making it even more impressive that the architect was able to make such a futuristic-feeling home while making it seem like a recognizable home, too.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: Vanishing-edge pool! Roof landscaping!

Pay special attention to: How the natural light interacts with the space. The architect says natural light was a huge part of the building process, affecting practically every corner of the house.

Architect: Scott Specht (Specht Harpman Architects)
Interior Designer: Client
Square Footage: 5,500 sq ft

Tour bonus! Ever been curious about "modular architecture"? Ever wonder if it's something you'd actually wanna live/breath/be in? Well the kind folks behind the tour, The GoodLife Team, have included a bonus property on the tour, that of their new modern office buildings located at 1114 E. Cesar Chavez, which are modular structures by Sett Studio, a modular, sustainable, energy-efficient company.

The cozy little buildings will be 168 square feet and 144 square feet, so maybe not everyone try to fit in there at once. As The GoodLife Team points out, the ones you'll be touring on the 2012 tour are being used as their offices, but they'd make a pretty cool expansion to your home in your backyard.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: We can only imagine that the details and materials of these modular structures will induce a little drool reaction.

Pay special attention to: Seeing how you might feel living in a box. (Though, philosophically, isn't that what all architecture is?)

Architect: Michael Speciale (Sett Studio)
Interior Designer: Krisstina Wise, founder of the Austin Modern HomeTour and The GoodLife Team

If it's hip to be square, then the modern house on 609 W. Live Oak Street is the coolest of all. There seems to be a definite modular theme to the whole space, and you'll get a kick out of seeing the wall of built-in square shelves, the room of rectangular windows and even the modular feel of the kitchen.

Located in a super hip neighborhood in South Austin, architect Peter DeWitt of DeWitt Architects knew he'd have to infuse this home with a lot of retro-style and modern character if it was going to be accepted on this cool, stylish-minded side of town.

You'll have to judge for yourself, but we think you'll agree this one story, 2,160 square foot home is pretty neat. And, knowing it's got green features to it makes it even cooler.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: There's totally an interior atrium and a hookup for an electric car charger in the backyard. And a turquoise refrigerator.

Pay special attention to: The integrated green features to the home that don't take away from its hipness one bit.

Architect: Peter DeWitt (DeWitt Architects)
Interior Designer: Client
Square Footage: 2,160 sq ft

What a noble piece of architecture 104 Thistle Court is: It stands as victor in the eternal battle between modern lovers' aesthetics and the desires of a traditional-looking neighborhood. And boy does it look like it enjoys the spoils of design war.

The architect Eric Brown of Thoughtcrib worked with the young, vibrant family to create a home that would feature plenty of sleek elements and sexy materials but that wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb among the existing neighborhood's architecture.

At 3,800 square feet, five bedrooms and five full baths, the home was built to fit lots of guests and extended family and it sounds like there will be plenty of rooms to pause in alone and pretend you live there.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: One word: library. Also, the super-slick, minimalist outdoor fire place is pretty rockin'.

Pay special attention to: That light fixture over the dining table. From a photo it kind of looks like the spaceship from the 1980s classic movie "Flight of the Navigator." Reason enough to visit this house to confirm or deny this observation.

Architect: Eric Brown (Thoughtcrib, Inc.)
Interior Designer: None
Square Footage: 3,800 sq ft
 

Don't let the neutral-toned exterior of 800 W. Oltorf Street make you think this will be beige and boring throughout; quite the opposite.

Architect Nick Mehl designed this home to be a courtyard house, with an exterior of stucco walls meant to be a visual and structural barrier for the inhabitants from the noisy street nearby.

In fact this home, which almost looks like two strong modern towers from certain angles, is really meant to protect the precious peace of its users and allow for the inner walls to be an inner sanctum.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: Inner courtyards!

Pay special attention to: How high quality all the natural light is inside.

Architect: Nick Mehl (Nick Mehl Architecture)
Interior Designer: Amity Wells (Only did a small amount of work for the property)
Square Footage: 2,100 sq ft

You might be overcome with the urge to throw stones at the 2800 square foot 1119 Redbud Trail house because it's so gorgeous and you're jealous you don't get to live in it, but don't; it's mainly a glass house. Actually, it's an extensive addition to a previous house.

The owners of the original Westlake house loved it and felt it was important to keep the spirit while adding more space and a sleeker, more modern look.

The new modern addition was built around a revamped original pool (becoming a sweet view from the living room); the original house's spaces and the newer bedroom addition are divided yet connected by a "transparent bar" that fits in living and office activities. Jay Hargrave of Cottam Hargrave really does a cool job of adding on to a small house and marrying two distinct styles nicely.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: The view from that patio. Sheesh. Stunning.

Pay special attention to:  According to the Modern Home Tour Website, architect Jay Hargrave himself did this part for us. He says to watch out for the 900 lbs, fabricated-from-woven-steel front gate;  the you-can't-even-tell-it's-there integration of home systems like HVAC supply and the like; and the fact that the materials were chosen to be low maintenance (as in, there's no exterior paint to have to touch up, the copper and stainless steel roof is gonna last awhile and more).

Architect: Jay Hargrave (Cottam Hargrave)
Interior Designer: Cottam Hargrave
Square Footage: 3,000 sq ft

Don't let the somewhat traditional-looking exterior of the house at 1127 Lott Avenue fool you; architect Kipp Flores and interior designer Brian Morris filled the interior with tons of modern details sure to satisfy your contemporary tastes.

Small in size (1,627 square feet) and relatively affordable (yep, this one is for sale at $229,990), you'll feel comfy and cozy in this home.

In fact the designers of this home call the style "Natural Modern" so if you like either of those things you're destined to dig this home just a bit.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: The linen-texture tile in the bathrooms and high-impact areas.

Pay special attention to: The exterior paint treatment. It's painted a green hue, but the hue can seem to darken or lighten slightly depending on where you're standing or where it was applied.

Architect: Kipp Flores Architects
Interior Designer: Brian Morris (Brian David Design)
Square Footage: 1,627 sq ft

Unless you've got a cool $774,900 to spend, walking into 2210 East Side Drive might break your heart a little. It's for sale, and let's face it, you're gonna fall in love.

Designed by Clay Little of NoackLittle Architecture and Interiors, it's got the chic modern materials that Dwell readers will love, but it's also full of retro-inspired, Mid-Century Modern personality that will resonate with those who prefer vintage architecture, too.

We can't even make you feel better and tell you it's at least located far away because it's not: it's nestled snuggly in the middle of Travis Heights and you'd not only live in a gorgeous modern 2,456 square foot,  three bedroom, two and a half bathroom home if this was your house, you'd be in the thick of one of Austin's hippest 'hoods. Better bring your checkbook.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: That wall made of thin, narrow bricks and the hideaway television and bar.

Pay special attention to: The flow of the space and the earthy, youthful color palette (that you can borrow inspiration from even if you're on a budget.

Architect: Clay Little (NoackLittle Architecture and Interiors)
Interior Designer: Holly Little
Square Footage: 2,456 sq ft

A real retro treat for the tour, the house at 3501 Greenway Street allows us to step into a time machine to see what a modern home in the 1980s looks like, and we have to say, not too bad!

Designed by Ted Flato of Lake|Flato Architects (the same folks who designed the Hotel San Jose and other remarkable buildings), it's definitely going to look different than many of the other homes on the tour. For one, the stone and concrete exterior is covered in wisteria vines which gives it a strangely old world feel.

And, though it might not showcase the most cutting edge designs, it's proof that modern's here to stay, and has long lasting staying power. Stretching across 2,750 square feet, you'll notice that it feels a lot more cozier and private than some of the other homes on the tour.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: An outdoor shower and a gorgeous library.

Pay special attention to: The variety of materials. There are a ton, but each is chosen based on the room or item's needs and each is lovely in its own way.

Architect: Ted Flato (Lake|Flato Architects)
Interior Designer: Client
Square Footage: 2,750 sq ft

What's a 1950s ranch house to do when it's just not being the best it could be? Call up architect Travis Toung of Studio Momentum, apparently (or okay, probably the owners called, but whoever made that decision at 4700 Hilwin Circle we applaud you).

Opening up the floor plan to increase flow and letting in some much-needed daylight, the renovation result is a nice rambling, 2,500 square foot home that delights at each corner and awe-inspires with every window's view.

Being on this year's Modern Home Tour isn't this house's only claim to fame we're excited to say: It was on last year's Cool House Tour because of all of its hip green features.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: Man we dig that cool-colored mosaic in one of the bathrooms.

Pay special attention to: According to the architect, you should pay special attention to how the master bedroom area feels really connected to the outdoors without feeling like it's completely on display.

Architect: Travis Young (Studio Momentum)
Interior Designer: Travis Young (Studio Momentum)
Square Footage: 2,500 sq ft

5606 Jeff Davis Street isn't going to knock you off your feet when you first see the exterior, not even when you first walk inside. But that's exactly what makes this home designed by David Rothenberg of the BWM Group so charming: It's maximized to be a kind of oasis from the fast-paced, cruel world out there, not to shock the senses. 

Materials are soft-spoken but whisper to you to explore them. Ceilings change between high and lofty and low and cozy, perfect for those with flip-flopping moods. There's a courtyard that feels like your own private bulwark against everyone.

Word of caution though: This home is another one for sale and because it isn't filled with a ton of furnishings, it may cause you to more easily imagine you and your stuff in there.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: Love that slatted white wood wall behind that soaking tub in the bathroom. Also all that storage in the carport. You could trick the neighbors in thinking you're organized!

Pay special attention to: The color palette that produces and instant feeling of calm, another borrowable thing you could lift from the tour.

Architect: David Rothenberg (BWM Group)
Interior Designer: Courtney Whitworth
Square Footage: 2,051 sq ft

Bring your checkbook for this one, too. 2903 Wade Avenue features another original Mid-Century Modern house that's been renovated and you can tell it right off the bat by spotting the thin and narrow stone work that covers the exterior topped off by a gorgeously and recognizably-angled roof.

The inside only gets better when you're met with bright white walls, sophisticated materials and a big, wide open feeling. Architect David Webber of Webber + Studio and interior designer Tracey Overbeck Stead have really out done themselves respecting the spirit of the original house and marrying that to a trendy contemporary style that most anyone will enjoy.

At 4,050 square feet, it takes second biggest on the tour. Set on a nice lot in West Austin surrounded by beautiful trees, be ready to write seven figures on that check.

Extra drool-causing cool factor: Ooh, a skylight in a bathroom. And a retro-shaped pool in the backyard.

Pay special attention to: The light in this home, as well. Really lovely the way it interacts with the finishes of the home.

Architect: David Webber (Webber + Studio)
Interior Designer: Tracey Overbeck Stead
Square Footage: 4,050 sq ft

2011 Peach Tree Street is so new we don't even have a photo of the real thing yet! Just this bold and hip looking rendering. Meaning we can't really wax too poetic about its materials or details since they'll be a surprise to us as much as you, but from the look of this rendering we bet we won't be disappointed.

From the Modern Home Tour website: "This is a new 1,620 square foot single family residence in the Zilker neighborhood in central Austin. It features a multi-level floor plan including three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a separate dining room and an integrated kitchen/living area."

"Interior materials include micro topped concrete flooring throughout, custom walnut millwork and exposed CMU feature wall. Exterior materials include CMU, white stucco, and tiger wood. Landscaping is a combination of xeriscape and drought resistant grass." Designed by architect James Harkrider of Studio D + FORM.

Architect: James Harkrider (Studio D + FORM)
Interior Designer: Studio D + FORM
Square Footage: 1,620 sq ft