From Clunky to Chic: Side Angle Side Transforms a 1970s Ranch into an Off-Grid Oasis in Austin

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Highlighting the latest project from Side Angle Side architects in Austin, the owners of this dated 1970s ranch-style home on a sprawling 2-acre rural property opted for a renovation instead of demolishing it to start fresh with a new build.

The homeowners enlisted the award-winning Austin architecture firm Side Angle Side to undertake the extensive renovation. Throughout the entire process, including the historic polar vortex that crippled Texas for days in 2021, they stayed on the property, residing in a yurt. From this experience, they discovered that living off the grid allowed them to withstand any extreme weather conditions Texas could throw their way, including hurricanes. This realization motivated them to incorporate off-the-grid features into their new design. Architects Annie-Laurie Gabriel and Arthur Furman integrated these elements, such as solar panels, Tesla batteries, and more, into the home’s design, alongside a stunningly remodeled ranch completed in 2023.

Below are the details of this transformation project.

A choppy 1970s ranch becomes a spacious, energy-efficient home with earthy finishes and mod furnishings for an Austin couple. The award-winning Austin architecture firm Side Angle Side transformed a fragmented 1970s ranch-style house with a four-bedroom layout into a spacious, open-concept one-bedroom home, perfectly suited for a couple who enjoys entertaining guests.

“The goal of the project was to create a home that is better suited the homeowners’ lifestyle, while also improving the overall energy efficiency of the property,” said Arthur Furman, founding principal, Side Angle Side.

Covering 2,315 square feet, the renovation resulted in an airy, open space bathed in natural light from several skylights lining the vaulted ceiling. A lengthy screened-in porch extends along the back of the home, seamlessly enlarging the living area when the expansive glass sliding doors are fully opened. The architects also raised the ceiling to reveal the full height of the vaulted roofline, enhancing the home’s sense of space.

During the two-year renovation, the homeowners lived on-site in a yurt, even enduring the severe 2021 polar vortex. This experience motivated them to make their home fully self-sufficient by incorporating solar panels, Tesla backup batteries, and a rainwater collection system to prepare for potential future power outages. These upgrades proved invaluable when a recent ice storm caused power outages in their neighborhood, allowing the homeowners to maintain energy independence while the rest of the area faced extended blackouts.

The home’s concrete floors were completed with a Micro topping slab, featuring a custom color chosen by the homeowners. In the kitchen, soapstone countertops and a matching backsplash create a sleek, natural look, while the adjacent butler’s pantry was remodeled from the original layout. A former small bedroom was transformed into a cozy den, and the living room, foyer, and small bathroom were re-envisioned from the original spaces. The primary bathroom now opens onto a private patio with a trellis. The yurt, once the homeowners’ temporary residence, now serves as a guest retreat.

The homeowners had an impressive collection of midcentury pieces and artwork, and the architects carefully designed the layout to ensure these pieces seamlessly integrated into the overall plan.