Retro-futuristic ADU sits atop old Austin bungalow, freeing backyard

An Austin couple wanted to add on to their two-bedroom bungalow, but they didn’t want to move out and they didn’t want to use backyard space, so architect Nicole Blair decided to attach an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) to their roof.
The steel structure was prefabbed off-site, and in less than 24 hours, it was placed on top of four steel columns (3 of which pierce the original house). The 660-square-foot cottage sit just two feet above the main home, but just under the city’s height limit.
The “upstairs cottage” has a kitchen, living room, bedroom and a second room which one of the owners, a hairstylist, uses as a hair salon. The owners named the new space “The Perch” which Blair says reminds her of the birds often perched on top of it when she visits.
nicoleblair.com/
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[@claytonlynch6288]

“Bungalow Below” is my new favorite fun sounding phrase

[@samhblackmore]

Imagine if there were "gallows below the bungalow"

[@Brian-os9qj]

I agree, should be made into a meme, a song, or a concept.

[@cauacarvalho6978]

Omg i cant unhear it 😂

[@annierosle9961]

Can be a book titled “ the bungalow below”

[@gregduhon5510]

WOW!!!! I am amazed you were able to get the city to approve it. Congratulations !

[@LaLadybug2011]

Austin is known for its flexibility. It even has a slogan "Keep Austin Weird." I love visiting there-everyone is so nice!

[@NWforager]

"Bungalow Below" i love that .

[@FrisellFan01]

1) the blue paint on this home is a knockout! 2) this architect is amazing .....the steel being used to build this home was such a great idea.....so many cool details to keep me coming back to this video......

[@jackstrubbe7608]

And a perfect "steel blue" to compliment the cor-ten ironwork!

[@freedomfreedom6544]

Genius. I love how she convinced the owners the swaying is normal. I once sold an RV that had no stabilisers and I did the same

[@nicoleblair8670]

The building's movement is exaggerated here. It's rarely perceptible and extremely subtle.

[@blueman5924]

@@nicoleblair8670I bet most people would be amazed to know how much tall buildings can “sway”.

[@nicoleblair8670]

Exactly. It's a moment connection - very common in steel construction which transfers load more efficiently (with fewer members) with the help of deflection.@@blueman5924

[@colinkelley6493]

Wow. There is nothing new under the sun, but, I think this is something very close to a new kind of structure and, to me personally, it is a game changer. I am living in a small, charming, 100 year old beach house on the Potomac River. I was thinking about putting stilts outside the two side walls and building over it. It never occurred to me I could put stilts through the house to a foundation under the house, and only build along one side, out from the roof line. I love it. Thank you for doing what you do!

[@nautilusshell940]

This method looks cool but wouldnt really save you much money

[@wzwzwzwzwzw]

the bathroom skylight that is interrupted by the steel beam is an A+ moment. beautiful filtered light effect and perfect reference to the awry and interwoven relationship of the bungalow and perch.

[@avivat3010]

What a great way to add an oportunity for additional income to a property. Two homes!

[@Skarkez555]

Absolutely out of the box architecture. Love it!

[@Sage-1111]

Nice concept but it took the view away from the house next door. I'm sure their not to happy with that. Always, Love your exploring interesting finds. Ty 👍

[@Bedlamite23]

The view next door is just a light well, no one looks out it. Fantastic for ventilation too.

[@Sage-1111]

@@Bedlamite23 That makes sense.

[@Jason-cm6uh]

What a great architect. I would never have thought of that

[@Ivette_Ski]

Uh-May-Zing!!! Totally out of the box design. Nicole is a genius!

[@rosemarymcbride3419]

drink every time she says "bungalow below"

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

Or perch.

[@bfree247365]

I used to live in Austin. If it is still the same property regs, they are not allowed to change the footprint of the bungalow foundation. This was so you couldnt build a Mcmansion among the bungalow type neighborhood. Therefore, people pop the tops of the bungalow and build a second floor....or build a perch apparently.

[@meowzic]

I bet the neighbor next door isn't too happy about it with their little look out room that only faces the perch now lol

[@RuthvikSS]

Been following from 6 Years ! Great Content & Great Filming ! ✌️😎

[@kirstendirksen]

Thank you for sticking around.

[@nilgunakyurek6969]

Basarilar...

[@kinpandun2464]

It's a great concept, but I agree with other commenters. What about tornados and hurricanes? Or replacing the roof of the bungalow below later on?

[@MrMountainchris]

Very cool. Love the style and I'm all for increasing density in our cities.

[@spartahill]

What an excellent idea, and not to mention the fabulous execution by both the architect and builder. Though I'm right up the road in San Antonio, I would never have guessed that Austin was undergoing such a revival/reimagining. What a great episode! I need to get out of the Alamo City more often and experience these homes and communities up close and personal. Cheers!

[@mrs.manrique7411]

I love this architect. ❤

[@iliapetrovic3582]

Hi from London. Congratulations on a stunning project. For me this addition is the perfect solution to add space, it’s fun too, I see echoes of a tree house, a railway carriage and those water butts that I see on roofs & on farmlands around the USA. Most importantly,it makes me smile, so can only imagine how the owner feels.

[@stardustsimulation]

Bungalow below sounds fun to say 😁😬

[@iambrian769]

So Loving This Approach From The Caribbean 🇻🇨

[@Dinki-Di]

An innovative and striking addition that makes great use of the spaces. Really love this architect’s playful yet high tech approach to problem solving. Thanks for providing a link to her site. Her whole body of work is impressive.

[@mummificationpls]

From the very first episode I ever saw was the Berkeley architects shipping container office and house definitely hooked my love of architecture and how they build for the client encompassing every detail.

[@pm2886]

Anything is possible when you have loads of money!

[@asianwoof]

Of all the types of projects you cover, I love these infill projects the most.

[@uniqdzign2]

This is so well designed, congratulations to Nicole Blair, for her foresight and mindful use of structure! Impressive architecture, bravo!

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

Brilliant use of space. Well thought out and executed design. Thanks for sharing.

[@stinkywizzleteets4740]

This could be a brilliant way to increase density in old neighborhoods without demolishing historic structures. Imagine this being done on a mass scale.

[@yushi911]

It’s really cool, and unbelievable there’s a salon! Probably the most popular one in the area. I am a cottage girl but this house is so interesting! Thank you for sharing.

[@cghoward70]

One of the most Austin things I’ve ever seen…Keep Austin Weird.

[@joshpit2003]

My engineering friend: "I'm definitely going to request that my custom designed house sways when people come up the steps so that I can feel like I live in a tree house. Also, please make all the built-in things also oscillate independently."

[@SonoraD.]

Very ingenious! Love it!

[@songsplay9092]

Always like vertical extensions... it will preserve open horizontal space and going up will make the rooms and usable area cleaner and cleaner with good overall air quality and noise levels.

[@stefan-bayer]

I feel like the wobble could have been avoided. Maybe I would have done a U-shape all across the whole house to get a totally stable footing. The outside design gives me kind of the Star Wars vibes. Also not sure if all the rust on the roof, the gutters and for example for plants in the garden is that practical. Overall neat design and cool ideas :)

[@rossmail5924]

Ohhh I love it! Unique and definitely resembles a perched bird.

[@Willyama]

Super cool place, the blue paint is stunning with the weathered steel

[@Brian-os9qj]

Fascinating concept and execution. This build is so creative, it deserves high regard. Cheers for finding it.

[@zx5218]

Absolutely STUNNING!!!! Is this the same gal who designed the house with walls that leaned out? Beauty and function. I love the architects vision. :)

[@jwebbw]

A unique building concept though I wonder how it would hold up during a tornado....take care.

[@nancyjones9238]

I lived in Austin for 32 years & in that whole time we had 2 tornados. Maybe there were more but didn't experience any more nor did I hear of any more.

[@janmarchand7294]

Amazing! What a thoughtful, unique build. All my Treehouse wishes in such a dynamic and fun space filled with light.

[@nononono3421]

I’m all for more density. It does feel a bit like a watchtower though, but if over time other houses do the same it would be great.

[@creolelady182]

How did they get a zoning and building permit for this

[@rushja]

awesome as always. Really look forward to your videos

[@michellem5485]

Simply stunning!

[@samhklm]

Sorry. This is ADU run amok. This was a 1920's bungalow built for less than $1000 dollars that is now a $1.5 million dollar monster. The charm of a 1920's bungalow......is that it is a bungalow. So next year are you going to add the mirror image to the other side of the roof? If the market supports then lets do it. You could then argue that the symmetry of the two units reflects the classical symmetry of the original structure. Oh yes I want to hear the roofers comments when drives up to this for an estimate on a roofing job for this place.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🙋‍♂️🤗THX KIRSTEN,FOR SHARING THIS 😎 PERCH OF THE HOUSE …many unique features 👍💚💚💚

[@SeptemberApril-io1hi]

Fantastic design!

[@jairopadilla]

Wow! This has to be my favorite things I’ve seen in your Channel

[@thinkplanetearth2946]

I liked the space a lot. Very light and airy and minimal. I was super curious to see how the metal beams affected the space in the bungalow below. A shame that we couldn't see that.

[@nicoleblair8670]

They extend through existing walls so you don't see them at all in the house below.

[@Dev1nci]

This is very good work!

[@Emperor1118]

Beautiful work 💥💐✌️

[@chris-malek]

That is a great structure. Thanks for featuring

[@PhilipSteeves]

Very cool! I love it!

[@yellowboot6629]

Good job ❣️

[@anon_y_mousse]

That's pretty cool. Might have to drive by next time I'm in Austin.

[@evanemerson]

So nice.

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

Oddly this would be cool above my garage

[@janeysiegrist5061]

Another awesome video 😊 I'd live there

[@misslannie73]

Wow, the clients didn’t ask for much, did they?! We want new space, but we don’t want to leave the old space. Oh and you can’t use our spare space. Oh and we aren’t leaving our space while you build the new space. 😳🙄👍🏼

[@mcassity]

Incredible

[@boardwalkbw7130]

Excellent Designer!!!!

[@chantalrochon3566]

Smart concept😊

[@bretdaley6869]

Unless the interior walls inside the existing structure had footings underneath them I would love to see how they tied the concrete under The columns for the posts to the footings. If they did kudos to them

[@nicoleblair8670]

We had to pour new large spread footings below which tied the house and the Perch foundations together.

[@purplequeen1727]

Very cool!

[@scubatrucker6806]

Cool space❤❤❤

[@jwt1035]

I wonder how the bungalow’s roof remains water tight when the piercing steel pillars sway. It seems to me that joint would tear away with time.

[@kazoosc]

very cool looking addition. the way the new stair sit off-center on the beam makes me uneasy

[@yodafannie]

Need to cover it with Ivy …

[@blueman5924]

innovative and neat ! 👍

[@tomfox9880]

Zoning up here in connecticut could never

[@NightOwlTX]

Keep Austin Weird😎 Love it!

[@salscycleshop3416]

I love it 💘

[@davidsteinhour5562]

She just wanted to say "bungalow below" as much as possible. And who can blame her, it's such a fun phrase! This thing must vibrate like a sonofagun in a storm, but I love the textures of the interior.

[@psycholoft]

I Would love to know how they handled plumbing and electric as the only connection to the ground / house below are the narrow rods.

[@ev8870]

2:10 - halfway along the underside of the Perch (just to the left of the roof chimney vent on the lower cottage) , you can see 3 white pipes. Water, sewage and electric?

[@nicoleblair8670]

Yes, at 1:51 you can see three pipes aligned behind the SE column which carry water, sewer, gas, and electric lines from The Perch above into an existing mechanical closet below. I covered this but it didn't make it into the video.@@ev8870 @psycholoft

[@hhuuzzzzaahh]

If you look closely you can see the lighting rod on the roof where the electricity arrives, and the trebuchet for firing poop out into space.

[@dr.coole.]

Allowing flex and movement is genius. Very talented designer.

[@stable-shadow]

Interesting, not my cup of tea, love the exterior texture and color.....K. always keeps it interesting, Happy Sunday 🕊️

[@marthareyes4024]

I'd be scared to live up there. To me, it doesn't seem safe, even if it is.

[@lisauerkvitz3198]

I had to chuckle when the designer said her favorite piece was the coat rack which was ingenious. If it was me I’d be bragging about the complex engineering feat it took to build that “Perch”.😂

[@nicoleblair8670]

The structural engineer, Structures PE, is brilliant, efficient and cleaver and I also love to brag about them. They are incredible engineers.

[@tryingmybestokay]

@@nicoleblair8670 Oh I see it now! A shame it didn't make the cut, was also curious.

[@MarkSenatori]

I wonder how challenging that was to get that approved with the planning dep. Here in Sacramento County (in California) this project would likely not be possible.

[@vigisbigtm]

If it's standing on just those four thin columns, I feel it's going to buckle sooner or later with help from the weather making it weak at few points. No amount of lateral support or maintenance can prevent that. It really feels like the designer kept a really low FOS while designing.

[@debbralehrman5957]

Cool👍🏼

[@wio2189]

It's cool, bit of a shame that the rust will taint the bungalow's roof which will be visible. Thanks for the video.

[@borntodieworldisafuck]

Disagree, love how corten steel imprints on sidewalks, etc. Wabi sabi

[@MrWhiskeycricket]

its meant to on purpose, its an aesthetic choice - and i think it will look beautiful.

[@StardustMonkey]

I thought I was so original when I thought of this idea. Taking the suburbs and building above on stilts to add density on small lots

[@suzettehenderson9278]

Can the perch be considered an ADU or is it an extension as the 2 buildings are tied together structurally? Very interesting.

[@hoopie_304]

Austin is a beautiful city. Expensive

[@pm2886]

Really? I heard it was pretentious and full of middle class hipsters .. haha!

[@hoopie_304]

@@pm2886 not sure. Last time I was there was in 1995. Lol

[@larsstougaard7097]

Many from California moved there the last 5-8 years lot spiritual people for some reason, maybe it was cheaper then , now because of all the CA people its expensive

[@michellej7734]

STOP BLAMING CALIFORNIANS!!!!

[@larsstougaard7097]

@@michellej7734 The flow of Californians to Texas has marked the largest state-to-state movement in the U.S. for the past two years, but it decreased from more than 107,000 people in 2021 to more than 102,000 residents in 2022, as real estate in Texas' largest cities has grown more expensive.

[@carjacklane3930]

Brilliant no more need to say except thankyou for sharing life on the treetops even if steel. I feel humans r naturally ment to be inbthe outdoors but evolution has ff some & wars etc. Slowed orhers. What a balance of both worlds

[@topotone]

Cool. Wanted to see where the plumbing and electrical pass through and tie into the main house systems.

[@nicoleblair8670]

At 1:51 you can see three pipes aligned behind the SE column which carry water, sewer, gas, and electric lines from The Perch above into an existing mechanical closet below. I covered this but it didn't make it into the video.

[@topotone]

@@nicoleblair8670 Thanks…I’ll take a look. I’m always super interested in the mechanicals of construction. My first question is usually about water, sewer/septic, electrical….all the basic stuff is fascinating, since I know a bit about it from work on our place here in Grass Valley, CA

[@kwhatten]

NOT ENOUGH! We NEED to see the posts inside the lower bungalow.

[@stevemiller7949]

Fabulous idea. I hope it gets copied a lot. My city should encourage this.🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂💯❤️

[@NWforager]

Hi Kirsten . Excellent work . didnt know you had a twin 8:54 💗💗

[@greenkeeper448]

Seems precarious at first, like to see the steel work.

[@Mamajonaful]

I know. The metal trusses alone looked 10 times heavier than the 4 steel rods. Would love to understand the engineering behind it.

[@melissathomas5176]

Oh no, a swaying perch in tornado country. Beautiful but impractical 😢

[@gingerznz5742]

Would have loved to have seen how they finished the anchors inside the villa.

[@louididdy]

The High Rising Tone, my goodness.

[@timothyshiu2263]

I think we might need to update the fire code: offset for roof tiles or between a roof and the floor above.

[@DailyFixNz]

Amazed the horizontal run roof corrugate was allowed. It'll spend most of its time pooling as evident on the video. Horrendous idea. Surprised it was permitted. Love to see the interface flashing details. The angled corrugate running to the windows is also a very high risk detail. Why spoil some innovative engineering with leak points all over it?

[@joejuan5022]

one earthquake this is going to be unthinkable

[@kathymanthey2062]

This is a great use of the space, but it is a bit of an eye sore especially with it painted a drastically different color. It looks like an addition gone wrong.

[@J.Cameron.Stuart.Adams.]

First off, I've loved many of the properties featured on this channel. That said we each have our own likes and dislikes. As someone who is obsessed with continuity and structure within the neighborhood, this project hurts my eyes. To me this looks like that one neighbor who collects scrap and builds crap in his yard. You know the kind of neighbor I am talking about......that one neighbor who refuses to abide by the rules they agreed too when they bought their home. The neighbor who undertakes works without approval. They paint their home hot pink, fenced in their front yard with a purple fence, replaced their lawn with invasive ivy and let blackberry vines grow wild, planted rapidly spreading bamboo along the fence with three neighbors...... that one neighbor who loves to stir up trouble intentionally, forcing the homeowner funded HOA to raise dues because a salaried attorney is required to fight this one neighbor. Yes, this was a real example of a neighbor from h**l in our neighborhood. When I see this rusting blob sitting high above everything and everyone else I see chaos destroying the calm and beauty of a cohesive neighborhood. A second floor addition sympathetic to the bungalow architecture, as seen next door, would fit in seamlessly. This stand out like a rusting middle finger. Whomever approved this project should be fired. To be totally fair we do not see much of the neighborhood. It could be this neighborhood is in transition with similar outlandish architectural redevelopment altering many of the neighboring homes. If that is the case, in due course this hulk will eventually "blend in". If not, and I were a neighbor confronted with this property devaluing monstrosity daily, I would sue the city to have it chopped down to ground level and reclad to blend in with the neighborhood aesthetic. As previously stated we all have different likes and dislikes. The aforementioned criticisms are my own personal thoughts. I am not a neighbor. Nor do I really wish for anyone to be fired or sued. Austin is seeing unprecedented growth. The need for creative housing solutions is the driving force for projects like this. Let's not forget the Austin motto. Cheers!