The Balcones Oaks Art Studio and ADU transforms an existing garage slab into a refined retreat for art, work, and visiting guests. Designed for a young couple who both work from home, the project balances simplicity and sophistication within a site defined by extraordinary limitations.

Overlapping Critical Root Zones from multiple protected oaks, setbacks, and high-voltage electrical clearances shaped every design move. Within these parameters, the studio expands the original footprint into a compact yet open space that feels deeply connected to its surroundings.

At under 500 square feet, it includes a full kitchen, bathroom, and flexible living area, along with a private sleeping nook featuring queen-sized bunk beds and built-in storage. Split flat roofs and a continuous clerestory draw daylight through the interior, while natural stone masonry anchors the fireplace—the visual and spatial link between the studio and main house.

A full-height curtain wall opens directly to the shared patio, extending living and gathering spaces outdoors. The result is a luminous accessory dwelling that shifts easily between creative workspace and guest retreat, where light, texture, and landscape converge to create a space far larger in spirit than its scale suggests.

2025 Latinos in Architecture Perspectivas Award: Best Conceptual Project