HEWN HOUSE
Hewn House | This home is born from the owner's desire for a space that feels both familiar and restful—like being on vacation. Its design draws inspiration from the humble cabin: a simple gabled form, natural wood cladding, a prominent hearth, and fluid connections to the outdoors. Yet rather than leaning into rustic nostalgia, the architecture embraces a clean-lined, sculpted aesthetic—hewned to fit in within its urban and environmental setting.
Mature trees informed the faceted geometry of the house, offering natural shade where deep eaves might traditionally appear. By yielding to the trees, the house tucks gently into the landscape, echoing the organic rhythm of its leafy neighborhood.
Interior and exterior spaces are carefully interwoven. The communal and private zones extend into a series of sheltered outdoor rooms. Large sliding glass doors open the living area to the backyard, while clerestory windows bring in ambient light and filtered views of the surrounding canopy.
Warmth and natural light define the experience of the interior. A wood-clad ceiling offers continuity with the knotted cedar tongue-and-groove exterior. Iron spot brick, with its rich earthy hue, grounds the hearth and continues outside, creating material consistency. A standing seam metal roof accentuates the crisp, faceted silhouette, while a dark gray stucco base provides contrast and balance to the cedar cladding.
A detached guest house sits apart yet remains connected to the main dwelling through a private courtyard, softly defined by a tall steel planter. This quiet interstitial space offers both separation and intimacy—continuing the home’s theme of retreat and connection.
Location: Austin, Texas | Phase: Completion 2019 | Architecture Team: Matt Fajkus, David Birt, Sarah Wassel | General Contractor & Developer: Capstone Custom Homes | Photography: Charles Davis Smith, FAIA
“Hewn House is a Moder, Cabin Inspired Stunner,” GB&D Magazine, October 2020.
“The Hewn House: Modern Takes on Traditional,” Eastside Magazine, May 2020
“The Urban House,” Residential Design Magazine, Vol.1, 2020.
“Hewn House by Matt Fajkus Architecture,” Rethinking the Future, November, 2019
“Project Feature,” Architizer, September, 2019
“Like on Vacation,” G&G Magazine, September, 2019
“Hewn House / Matt Fajkus Architecture,” Arch Daily, August 2019
