Writer's Retreat
Balcony, Austin
Nestled at the top of a steeply sloped wooded site, this backyard retreat offers a quiet sanctuary tucked away in a busy west Austin neighborhood. This efficiently planned accessory dwelling unit comprises a bedroom, bath, kitchen and living area. The approach to the retreat is via a winding path up the woodland hill that arrives at a generous wrap-around porch. The path and porch are connected by a small bridge that negotiates the difference in terrain and provides an experiential cue of transitioning to a secluded and protected environment. Tall interior spaces give a sense of airiness to each room while the kitchen window seat provides views into the surrounding trees. Interior finishes include post-oak flooring, handmade ceramic tile, stone countertops, and custom millwork wainscoting, evoking a cottage-like domesticity that enhances the sense of solitude and rejuvenation from the pressures and stress of the everyday world.