A Mid-Century Home’s Bright Transformation in Austin

A renovation honouring the past while embracing the present

When I first saw this house, I was impressed by how beautifully blends past and present. Mid-century homes often have a charm that’s hard to bring into the modern age, but they can sometimes feel closed off and dim.

This remodel by Matt Fajkus Architecture proves that you don’t have to sacrifice character to create a bright, open, and modern space.

By raising the roof, rethinking the layout, and carefully selecting materials, the architects have transformed the house into something that feels both fresh and familiar. It’s a perfect example of how thoughtful design can bring new life to a classic home.

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(Marco Guagliardo - Mid-Century Home’s Editor in Chief)

All photos by Charles Davis Smith

Austin, Texas is home to many standout houses, but one that really deserves attention is the Re-Open House by Matt Fajkus Architecture (MF Architecture).

This house, completed in 2017, takes a mid-century home and gives it a modern update without losing the character that made the original design appealing. When you walk through this house, you sense a clear connection to nature, thanks to the open layout, clerestory windows, and thoughtful use of materials like wood, stone, and glass.

From the start, the homeowners wanted to keep the best parts of the existing mid-century design while giving it more space and bringing in extra light. “We first asked ourselves how we would maintain the mid-century spirit of the house and some of its mid-century characteristics while adding more area and volume,” explains the team at MF Architecture. This question guided the entire process. The final result is a place that respects its mid-century heritage but doesn’t get stuck in the past.