Travis Heights Historic Home by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

Tucked quietly behind hedges on a 5,000-square-metre lot in Austin sits one of Texas’s oldest brick homes. Built in 1851 by James Gibson Swisher – a Texas ranger and signatory of the Texas Declaration of Independence – the house was constructed using bricks fired along the nearby banks of the Colorado River.

Though the residence has undergone various additions over the decades – including a Victorian upgrade in 1889 – architect Michael Hsu recently oversaw an opportunity to reimagine it with both sensitivity and depth. Despite its rich history, the home had fallen into disrepair. Remnants from a 1920s blaze still lingered – wood that now lines the ceiling of a spa-like bathroom – and much of the original 19th-century woodwork and stained glass required an expert hand. “There were parts of the home that were incredibly fragile,” he says. “It was important for us to find a balance between the historic parts of the home and contemporary living.”

“There were parts of the home that were incredibly fragile. It was important for us to find a balance between the historic parts of the home and contemporary living.”

The architecture is a masterful blend of Victorian vernacular and contemporary loftiness, unified through a glassy, north-facing addition. The new volume links the original parlours and bedrooms to an open-concept plan – one that prioritises peaceful views of the landscape, anchored by Texas Lueders limestone and white oak.

“Some components, like the clean lines of the spiral staircase, work to bring those elements together,” says Hsu. “As you experience the house, you can wander and forget for a moment what is old and what is new.” During the renovation, he discovered 19th-century horseshoes, limestone fossils and arrowheads dating back to the Cretaceous period. Some of these relics are now embedded in walls and walkways, reinforcing the home’s deep connection to place.

“As you experience the house, you can wander and forget for a moment what is old and what is new.”

From the elevator’s mural and a theatrical metal gate to the cosy attic sleeping nooks, Moroccan tile-clad bath and rooftop widow’s walk, each space offers a unique experience that blends past and present. The architect often likes to explore the roof – a quiet place for reflection – to take in views of a city transformed over two centuries.

Outside, the lush property gives little indication of its proximity to the city’s downtown area. With help from Shademaker Studio, the team embarked on a prairie-style landscaping project featuring native grasses, live oaks and wildflowers. A sunken garden, fire pit and a green-roofed cabana overlooking the pool complete the grounds – a restorative urban escape.

The architecture is a masterful blend of Victorian vernacular and contemporary loftiness, unified through a glassy, north-facing addition.

While it was quite the undertaking, Hsu and his team are happy with the result – a home that feels both timeless and comfortable.

Architecture and interior design by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture. Landscape design by Shademaker Studio. Artwork by Lucas Aoki.