Carina Coel

The Hartford Residence, a 1932 home in Old West Austin, required architectural help to address flow and add living space while maintaining the home's original charm and honouring its historic neighbourhood. The team chose to maintain a single story for the 483 SF addition of a new primary bedroom suite and laundry/mudroom. Brick from the original rear façade was carefully preserved to clad the new Mudroom entrance and outdoor fireplace so they blend seamlessly with the original structure. The original layout of the living room, dining and kitchen created challenges placing furniture, had unused space and convoluted access between rooms. The revised layout creates spaces for gathering, optimizes usable floorspace and establishes visible and accessible connections from the front to the back of the house. The addition of a large island with bar seating activates unused space in the kitchen, while new windows offer connection to the backyard and cozy new screened porch.

Carina has worked in the architectural field in Austin since 2003 and is recognized within the community for her ability to create well-designed, sustainable dwellings in a way that clients feel they have been heard and valued in the process. Her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, on two AIA Austin Homes Tours, and a number of local media outlets and publications. Carina received a Bachelor of Architecture degree as well as a B.A. in Architecture and Art History from Rice University in Houston. She is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is licensed by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE).

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