The Avenue G House is a substantial addition to and renovation of a former duplex in Austin’s Hyde Park national historic district. The existing building’s steel casement windows and locally made brick facades were maintained, while a second story was added in the form of an ipe-clad, abstract volume. Particularly unusual in this neighborhood of discrete rooms, the visitor enters into an unexpected sense of openness through the depth of the house. Two double-height spaces further increase the sense of space and invite light deep into the center of the house. As such, the kitchen is naturally illuminated throughout the day. In addition to the double-height entry space, the kitchen is open to the upstairs lofted family room and adjacent to the downstairs living room. Servicing the kitchen, a powder room, pantry, wine room, HVAC and great amounts of storage are hidden behind the book-matched walnut cabinetry that defines the living areas. Throughout the house, ungraded ipe floors lend a sense of warmth and serendipity to the ensemble.