04 Mar Explore 8 Top Architect’s Homes on the Virtual 2021 Austin Modern Home Tour

It’s almost spring! Do you know how I know that? Because the 13th Annual Austin Modern Home Tour is here and that means spring is right around the corner. Explore 8 top architect’s homes on the Virtual 2021 Austin Modern Home Tour.

When inspiration strikes

Last year’s Austin Modern Home Tour was the last in-person event MA+DS (Modern Architecture + Design Society) held before the virus shut the door to large gatherings. And boy, was it a beauty. I always come away incredibly inspired. Check out my Top 10 Design Trends from the 2020 Austin Modern Home Tour HERE.

I was so inspired, I was even crazy enough to sign up to be a Guest Participant in the spring 2020 One Room Challenge and remodel our kitchen in just 8 weeks!! I don’t recommend that tight a time frame especially in the middle of a Pandemic (although the One Room Challenge is an incredible experience) but check it out HERE, as we are thrilled with the outcome and were able to partner with some amazing kitchen brands.

You just never know what will inspire you. It was actually this modern bar below at the ESS Design Build home on the 2020Austin Modern Home Tour that drove me, in the middle of our kitchen remodel, to look for the photo and change our bar to this more modern design. (special thanks to ESS Design Build for the idea!)

Inspiration bar at ESS Design Build home

Kitchen bar at home of The Pillow Goddess

The reality is we all know we’re in the middle of a global pandemic which has literally put the breaks on almost every in-person conference, showhouse, tour, and any event really. Because of this, many brands have had to…here comes the word of 2020….”Pivot”. The Modern Home Tour Series is no different:

As a small, event-based company, 2020 was obviously a tough year, but we are really excited about our virtual tours. The segments are fun, educational, and anyone, anywhere, can join from the safety of their own homes. – James Leasure, founder, Modern Home Tours.

Home by Barley | Pfeiffer Architecture on the 2021 Austin Modern Home Tours.

Anyone, Anywhere – New way to experience Modern Architecture

Let’s look at the bright side of life. I don’t know about you, but because many events have had to go virtual, I, personally, have been able to attend for the very first time, the National Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the Design Influencer’s Conference. So there are some very real advantages to going virtual. In fact, in my opinion, it has literally opened up many of these events to so many more people that otherwise would not be able to attend. I think in the end, we will find it to be a win-win experience going forward. Let’s step right up to these steps of the beautiful home (above) by Barley | Pfeiffer Architecture to the virtual way of doing events this year.

The 2021 Virtual Austin Modern Home Tour

The added bonus with doing a virtual event is that tourgoers interested in seeing the homes do not have to block a full day off on their schedule. Likewise, those who live far away do not have to travel to Austin. During our in-person tours, most visitors would explore the homes as a group and discuss the project’s story with the architects and designers that created the home, giving attendees great details and background on each home. With it being virtual this year, we like to think of this as a LIVE TV show that you have the option to ask the host questions during the show, or watch DVR-style at a later time. – James Leasure, Founder, Modern Home Tour Series

Heads up to everyone across the USA to this important point

You do NOT need to live in Austin to enjoy this tour. Because the 2021 Austin Modern Home Tour is virtual this year, ANYONE from ANYWHERE can get a ticket and tour all 8 homes.

In fact, go ahead and purchase your tickets right HERE using my $5 off discount code (which is already factored in).

Features of this exciting 20201 virtual Austin Modern Home Tour

• Austin’s Tour is a 2-day event, THIS weekend, March 6 and 7th
• Live 3D walkthroughs
• Discussions
• Q & A in each segment

Home by Matt Fajkus Architecture on the 2021 Austin Modern Home Tour.

How the Virtual Tour works

1. Purchase your tickets here: https://mads.media/atxmod2021/ (Use code MAIN for $5 off)
2. Tourgoers will receive an access link with unique passcode prior to the event
3. Tourgoers can participate LIVE on Tour day, watching the segments in real-time and asking the architects, builders, interior designers, and homeowner questions, or
4. Segments can be watched (or re-watched) and 3D models explored at a more convenient time after the event.

NOTE: A curated selection of 8 modern homes in and around Austin, Texas, will be showcased virtually during the 13th Annual Austin Modern Home Tour on Saturday and Sunday, March 6th and 7th. A full schedule of events will be posted on the event page. Tickets are $40 per device and grant access to the taped segments after the LIVE event ends.

Don’t forget

You can get $5 off your ticket by purchasing it HERE with my discount code built-in.

The Pillow Goddess pillows staged in prior tours

I don’t have any pillows on the virtual tour this year, but I’ve attended countless Austin Modern Home Tours. Every single time I think the tour cannot be better than the last tour, each year the homes always offer something fresh and new.  Even the very first Modern Home Tour, back in 2009, where I staged the entire home with our one-of-a-kind pillows (below), was one of the coolest homes.

2009 Austin Modern Home Tour. Photography by Gregg Cestaro.

Last year, our studio’s pillows were featured in the beautiful Newcastle Home staged by Ruby Cloutier of VAZZO Spaces (below). I love the way Ruby and her team styled this living room. Art by Jo Hyman.

2021 Austin Modern Home Tour Participants showcase stunning homes

There are eight participating homes this year and each one offers a totally unique perspective in architecture and interior design. One home’s story in particular in the Barton Hills Neighborhood right next to our hood is fascinating because they had to design the home around this huge Live Oak Tree. And if you aren’t familiar with these trees, they are gorgeous with long limbs stretching out and a deep root system.

As Frank Lin of CoXist Studio said in the Austin American Statesman recent feature article, “Once you enter into the house, the first thing you see is the inner courtyard with this tree being embraced and highlighted.”

Back view of a modern home designed around large Live Oak tree by architect CoXist Studios on the 2021 Austin Modern Home Tour.

Front view of modern home designed around large Live Oak tree by architect CoXist Studios on the 2021 Austin Modern Home Tour.

The 2021 Participating Homes

• FIA Homes with CoXist Studio
• J Christopher Architecture
• Barley | Pfeiffer Architecture
• Newcastle Homes with Element 5 Architecture
• Pavonetti Architecture
• Moontower Design + Build
• Matt Fajkus Architecture
• Cornerstone Architecture

Preview modern homes here

Take a peek at these homes now online HERE as you can see both the exterior and interior of all eight homes. On Tour day, you’ll be able to explore every corner of each home in 3D, and, as mentioned above, enjoy discussions and Q&A’s with MA+DS host James Leasure, and the architects, builders, and homeowners of each individual home. Come get inspired with me by all this incredible architecture and interior design!

Please PIN for easy reference

Purchase tickets

Get $5 off your ticket by purchasing it HERE with my discount code built-in.

Now, what better way to spend a weekend during the winter? And if something comes up in your schedule, no worries. If you have a ticket, you can always come back later and explore the modern homes at your leisure.

Till next week, please join me in exploring inspiring architecture and interior design on the 2021 Virtual Austin Modern Home Tour, and stay safe and warm. XO PG

NOTE: This post is sponsored in part by Modern Architecture + Design Society. All images of the 2021 homes are courtesy of Mads Media; opinions my own.