An imaginative solution to the common urban challenge of limited space, The Perch by Nicole Blair is a 660-square-foot studio ingeniously built directly above an existing bungalow in Austin, Texas. The clients, who include a hairstylist and a landscape designer, sought to add flexible living space without sacrificing their beloved backyard garden. Architect Nicole Blair's design, completed in 2022, is a floating structure supported by four steel columns that pierce the bungalow's walls, minimizing site disruption. The steel frame was prefabricated off-site and craned into place in a single day, which allowed the homeowners to remain in their residence during construction. Aptly named for its elevated position, The Perch adds a layer of densification while honoring the existing home's scale and setting. The exterior is clad in durable, low-maintenance weathering steel and corrugated metal, echoing the angular, asymmetrical roofline and the original bungalow's steel elements. This material choice offers a bold, utilitarian aesthetic that will naturally evolve over time. The interior, however, provides a warm, tranquil contrast with its playful color palette of pale wood, white-washed pine, and blush cabinetry. The design maximizes the compact volume by incorporating vaulted ceilings and split-level floors, giving the impression of expansive space. The Perch is designed to be a deeply sensory experience. Subtle movement in the building's structure, felt on the steel staircase and the cantilevered front room, provides a gentle reminder of wind and gravity, connecting the inhabitants to their physical environment. Custom details reinforce this connection, such as a swaying steel coatrack and bent rebar elements that reference the landscape designer owner's yard. The multi-purpose space includes a secluded bedroom overlooking the garden and a dedicated salon for the hairstylist owner, demonstrating its adaptability and long-term value. Project credits Architecture and Builder: Nicole Blair Architects Interior Designer: Nicole Blair, with owners Dylan Robertson and Annie Cobb Landscape Design: Dylan Robertson, D-CRAIN Design and Construction Engineering: Ryan Stoltz and Amanda Dees, Structures PE Photography: Casey Dunn