Trinity specializes in helping people expand their current space to make room for new family members, create a yard home for elders or for extra income, or build their dream home. Her designs are guided by the principal that a home is the respite, the rejuvenation, the space for refilling our batteries and connecting with those most dear to us. It is a sacred space that allows us to be our best in the world.
Additions | Renovations | ADUs | Mueller Projects
The owners purchased this home with the intention of renovating it to make it their own. The house had been purchased from the original owner and was still decorated in the original 1950s pink and browns. The design challenge was to open up the compartmentalized floor plan and lighten up the interiors. The vaulted ceiling and built in furniture lend function and elegance to the space.
This project is a collaboration between Jesse Mischel and Trinity White. They purchased a lot in East Austin with the intention of building a secondary living structure at the rear. The original 1940’s home was sensitively renovated in 2009. Due to the restrictions of the site and city code, the home is 850 SF of living space with views, porches, and balconies used to increase the feeling of openness in a small volume. The siting of the home was chosen to maximize cross breezes and allow for solar energy and hot water. Through the siting and other inventive elements such as rainwater collection, a sleeping porch and stack ventilation, the home has achieved a 5-star Austin Energy Green Building rating.
The owners needed to create more space for the kids to have their own rooms as they got older. By adding a primary suite we allowed the whole family a little more privacy and space. The living room and dining room were opened up and accentuated with a dormer to let in much needed northern light deeper into the space. The carport was enclosed to create an office, additional guest bathroom and mudroom, eliminating the clutter at the front door.
The original single story house was transformed into a camel back with the addition of a second floor to house the growing family. The challenge was to balance the need for additional space while maintaining the outdoor space for the family. We decided to extend vertically with a second floor dedicated to housing the children's bedrooms and an additional bathroom for the children. While the first floor was focused around open living spaces and a primary suite for the parents, it was important to the owners and Trinity to maintain the scale of the neighborhood while balancing the second floor addition.
The owners came to Trinity White Architecture to explore creating more space for their growing family. Together we explored many options including a separate guest suite in the rear yard, a second story addition and a garage apartment. In the end, a single story addition allowed for the space they needed and a seamless flow from living to more private spaces. We delicately wrapped the addition around the existing trees, working closely with the city arborist to accommodate the mature trees.
Trinity White Architecture is proud to be the first firm to add a garage apartment to a Yard house in Mueller. Over the years we have helped a number of families in Mueller convert their single story garages into apartments for extended family. We enjoy helping the clients move through the approval process and pioneering this type of multi-generational living in Mueller. In all our projects we have worked closely with the Mueller POA to create exterior designs that blend well with the existing home and reflect the design values of the development. In the end, we have found a way to achieve this while still creating dynamic and vibrant spaces.
This project is a new garage and guest apartment. The clients wanted a workshop as well as an apartment for family to stay during extended visits. The small apartment uses creative natural lighting and vaulted ceilings to create a more expansive space while allowing for additional storage above the sleeping area.
This project is an addition and renovation to a 1950’s ranch house in north Austin. The owners approached Trinity White Architecture with the idea to update the existing bathrooms and create an additional living space. They envisioned a space that would simultaneously provide a quiet place to relax as well as a connection to the outdoors for entertaining. The design challenge was to create an addition that blended with the existing structure while incorporating their modern design aesthetic. As part of the project the backyard was designed to increase its functionality as a living space and recreation area.
This two story home in Mueller is the first Yard Home to have a 3rd floor added. The 1200 sf 3rd floor includes a 300 sf porch with captivating views of Austin’s skyline. The owners wanted to include space in their home for a dedicated private office and a large entertaining space for whiskey tastings and football watching. A guest room and bathroom were included to allow for longer term visitors. A portion of the open space was set aside as a quiet meditative space.
This three story home on Chestnut is adjacent to a commercial lot and a church. The house will act as a transition from the busier street to the quieter neighborhood beyond. The clients wanted to create a family home for entertaining multiple generations. The challenge of providing the desired program within the confines of the Urban Home tool and a small challenging site was met in part by tucking the primary suite under the eaves and elevating the outdoor space to the second floor. The 3rd floor primary suite allows for separation of the personal and public spaces as well as views to downtown. The elevated outdoor porch allows for amble entertaining space, off street parking and a further sense of separation from the busy street.
The clients wanted a bold new look for their back yard incorporating a space for their parents to come for extended visits while allowing room for entertaining. The second floor addition creates a bright home office and additional secluded quiet living space, while the renovation opened and expanded the kitchen allowing the family more space to enjoy cooking and spending time together.
This small studio was designed as an outdoor guest bedroom for the clients’ extended family. It consists of a small living space with a Murphy bed which allows it to double as a bedroom and a long bathroom. The far counter of the bathroom has some basic amenities such as a microwave and mini-fridge to allow the occupant a little more flexibility. There is additional storage at the rear of the studio for the home owners. In the end we created a space that feels cozy but not confined. Since this project was a collaboration with Marsee Construction, Trinity White Architecture was only responsible for Design Development and the permitting of the project.
