A Historic Home Reimagined
Words Codi Chen | Photos Rob Gomez
In a quiet East Austin neighborhood, sunlight fills a shared courtyard on a property where history and modern design coexist, and three generations of family live side by side.
Originally built in 1938, the land has been transformed into a vibrant multigenerational estate blending timeless architecture with contemporary updates, designed in collaboration by Matt Satter, Founder of Drophouse Design, and Mari Russ-Wolf, Founder of Russ Design Studio. “Our goal was to preserve the character of the original home while making it work for a contemporary lifestyle,” Mari explains.
Matt and his family live on the property alongside his in-laws, making this project deeply personal. The front house has been updated with an open plan and modern conveniences, while Matt, his wife, and their children reside in a newly-built rear dwelling.
“We weren’t trying to copy the style of the original home, but we aimed to create a conversation between the old and new.”
“The back house has its own identity, but the materials of rusted steel, natural wood, and a muted color palette tie it to the front,” Matt shares. “We weren’t trying to copy the style of the original home, but we aimed to create a conversation between the old and new.”
The interiors draw on a cohesive mix of natural wood tones, layered with shades of green and blue for a calm, organic esthetic. Bright accents add personality throughout both homes, like a golden tile backsplash and coral tile in the bathroom.
Design choices throughout the property aim to balance beauty with function. Tall, slender windows in the rear dwelling welcome natural light without overheating the home. The front dwelling keeps its classic facade but extends toward the courtyard in the back through expansive glass walls, creating a strong visual and spatial connection to the outdoors.
The courtyard, shared by both homes, is the estate’s true centerpiece, with a plunge pool, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and spacious patio that encourages family gatherings. “We thought of it as an outdoor living room,” Mari explains. “Meals, swimming, celebrations…we imagined all of it happening here.”
For Matt, every corner of the home was designed around daily life with his family. “I wanted a home where I could be present with my kids in the pool while still keeping an eye on the front house,” he says. “It was about creating connection for the whole family without sacrificing privacy or comfort.”
By blending preserved history with modern design, this project transformed into a model compound for Austin’s future: multigenerational living that is functional, beautiful, and deeply connected.
AIA Austin Homes Tour: October 25–26
Want a closer look at this stunning multigenerational estate? The 39th Annual AIA Austin Homes Tour offers exclusive access to this home and nine other beautiful homes by talented Austin architects. aiaaustin.org/homes-tour-2025
Contact:
russdesignstudio.com
@russ_design_studio
drophousedesign.com
@drophousedesign
