Our clients were looking for a home to renovate in the Austin area when they found a simple brick one story 1970s home that had been neglected for many years. The front yard sloped down to the front of the home allowing water to gather and there had been an inexpensive addition done at the rear of the house. The floor plan was characterized by a series of rooms clustered together around a sunken living room with no connection to the outside. The front yard would be leveled to help channel water around the house. Most of the exterior brick was replaced with Hardiplank siding and the remaining brick was painted to lighten the exterior. Exterior windows and doors were replaced with Marvin Integrity brand windows. The rear addition was stripped off and replaced with a new screened porch, with a vaulted ceiling and fireplace, and a new deck. The sunken living room was filled and the many interior walls were removed, tremendously brightening up the interior. A new kitchen was designed with much of it now opening up into the living room. New fixtures, finishes, mechanical systems and wood floors were added throughout the home. A basic builders box was given a new lease on life, bringing its image and function into the 21st century, providing our clients with an efficient, sustainable, and effective way to repurpose this average home into a high performance efficient living environment.