If a two-story bookshelf sounds like something from your dream home, you’ll want to check out this Texas residence. Located in urban Austin, Murray Legge Architecture designed this house with the collaboration of an artist and an architectural historian.
An Urbanized Exterior
This home is a secondary dwelling in historic Austin. The primary house is a 1940s cottage that faces the road in its neighborhood. The library house is on the back of the property and is surrounded by commercial dwellings.
The designers used concrete masonry to blend this home with other urban developments.
The Interior: Book Lover Meets Industrial Style
The interior of the home takes on a minimal, industrial style. Exposed ceiling beams, duct work, and masonry brick run throughout the house. The exposed utilities not only create a specific look but also make it easier to maintain the heating, electrical, and plumbing.
The concrete floors and natural wood finishes match the industrial look, and the house has very little decoration.
The most significant focal point is the two-story bookshelf. Filled with hundreds of colorful art and architectural books, these shelves are the star of the home.
Though this house is 1,653 square feet, it only features one bedroom, which is in the loft. The primary purpose of the home is to act as a library.
The loft bedroom has an attached bathroom. The first floor features the living space and kitchen. There’s also a second bathroom and laundry room in the utility wing.
Photographs:Leonid Furmansky.
