After the Dust Settles: Post-project Client Review

We love client reviews because they make us better designers. A year and a half after we completed this project, we checked in with the client–who was a delight throughout the whole process–and asked for candid feedback via interview. Artistic Director Matt Norton wanted to know how the project felt while it was in progress and the lasting effects of our design choices.

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4/24/25

Matt :

I think the big picture here is that one of the things we may not be communicating well to the world prior to meeting prospective clients is what it feels like to work with us. We've gotten a sense that our company feels a little more human than most and values interpersonal relationships, so I'm trying to take steps to understand how to communicate that to the outside world. Yes, we have good-looking work. Yes, we have credentials, but really the thing that may make us the right fit for someone is how we make them feel when we all work together. So this first question is: how has the space influenced your daily life?

Alan :

I work downtown in kind of a concrete box, really nothing nature-driven, and when I drive home and walk in through that first open courtyard, it really divides off my house from, you know, the city, the outside world, and makes me feel kind of like a little oasis that I'm walking into that's very much my own. It's just an immediate feeling of being home, being comfortable, being in a space that I'm proud of, but more importantly, that just brings in all the right notes to help me unwind from the day.

Matt :

Awesome. You know, there’s a saying; ritual gives meaning

Alan :

Yeah.

Matt :

It’s funny how the more you do something a certain way, you really do grow fond of it. That idea of Pavlov's whistle; at some point you don't even need the food, the whistle will make you have the reaction. It sounds like you're entering a space that's not only physical but in your mind, like an internal state. What about your daily life in terms of the backyard?

Alan :

So the backyard is kind of my morning retreat before I go off into the world. I drink a cup of coffee out there whenever the weather is nice. One of my favorite things, obviously, is hosting parties, and I've hosted probably a dozen by now - my family doesn't even offer to host anymore. I hosted Thanksgiving this year for the first time ever, and Christmas with all my friends. Having them open presents sitting around a fire outside, it was great. I did Passover Seder and every football game in between. So, yeah, it's my main entertaining space. But beyond the larger events, one thing I've really enjoyed is calling my friends overseas in the morning on the weekends. I sit out on my back porch and have a Zoom call with them while having coffee. And it's just really peaceful. [The yard] makes a great backdrop. It's been great.

Matt :

We've been trying to put words to this; like hey, it's great to spend more time outside.

Alan :

One of the main things is, especially with a group with children, the kids can be active and the parents can relax. As soon as the kids walk into the house they run to the backyard to play and now I have a space for the parents to sit and chat and enjoy their space without interrupting the kids but also keep an eye on them.

Matt :

Alright, you're nailing this so far. So number two, what's your favorite detail in the space?

Alan :

The area I've ended up using the most is the pergola and the outdoor kitchen. I mean, I love the fire pit and I love the TV area, but the one that's really surprised me the most is the dining area underneath the pergola. That area was scorched by sun, it was completely unusable, and I didn't really cook outside because there wasn't a good space for it but now that's the main area where everybody hangs out. I'm always surprised how a completely unusable space became the highlight of the outdoor area.

Matt :

There’s something special about a space that clients didn't see coming. A lot of times it means that there's a kind of intangible character that ended up being created, like the shadows in a corner.

Alan :

[The dining area] definitely feels like the most intimate of all of the outdoor spaces. I don't know if it’s because the pergola creates a defined ceiling or the lighting creates the right mood, or the plants; it's a combination of it all.

Matt :

If there's a theme it’s, “How much can we transport you to another world?” with these moves. That space really does feel like its own little world.

Alan :

It has completely changed a million times. It can be molded to different kinds of moods very easily.

Matt :

Can you describe what you like about the light in the morning?

Alan :

The sun is barely cresting over the horizon. The other side of the house is still pretty well in shadow so this area gets those first morning rays. Even as late as June, the mornings are still comfortable and cool. It's just a perfect way to slowly turn yourself on in a comfortable space. It's wonderful.

Matt :

There's all sorts of science behind what not getting enough sunlight does to your neurological system. A lot of people feel like starting your waking moments with sunlight on your skin is a really good thing for your internal systems.

Alan :

Yeah, it makes sense.

Matt :

Okay, how about working with us? What do you think sets OES apart–I know you’ve worked with a lot of trades.

Alan :

Yeah, this is kind of my fourth major remodel on this house. I've been in Austin my entire life. I've seen the city grow, I know it does change, but OES felt exactly like what Austin should be. Young people, very enthusiastic, not trying to turn this into a Las Vegas or LA style, show as much money as you can sort of thing. It was more about tailoring the space to the house, to the neighborhood, to the client and to being patient with all of the feedback that a stubborn lawyer brings to the table. It was a great experience, I mean, as soon as I walked into your office, I knew that you were all very close to each other.  You weren't trying to put on a big show or oversell or push me into anything I was uncomfortable with. There was always good back and forth about let's be reasonable about spaces, let's be reasonable about budget, etc. and those were also good in terms of when I had to pull back, it was a very collaborative process. It always felt like my input was not only welcome but valued.

Matt :

That just makes my day to hear that, it touches on so many things that I believe a job can be. It kind of makes me emotional to hear that it's been successful with you.

Alan :

I'm very grateful for all of it. Honestly, you've given me a greater home. It's wonderful.

Matt :

Okay, what's your most peaceful or blissful memory in the new space?

Alan :

My most peaceful memory was two weeks ago at Seder, the first time I mixed my family and friends. I had space for a large group of 24 people, spent all day cooking brisket outside, was able to arrange everything to fit a large crowd comfortably, have everyone meet each other, to organically talk to each other; it felt like creating a memory for everyone.

Matt :

It sounds like you have a vision of what family gatherings could be and how to really squeeze the most out of them as a memorable experience. I think about our work as a stage for life. The play is going on and if we do our job right it amplifies the mundane. I love the idea of seeing everyone happy in your family and getting along. Is there a moment, if we're talking at the scale of what you would think about as craft, is there a detail moment on the project where you're like, man, that's just a really thoughtful idea and execution? One scale is "how do we organize those spaces" but we really try to think about things from multiple scales; there’re little Easter eggs to find along the way. Like, it looked great from far away but it's not a one-trick pony; as I get closer there's more little details to see. I'm curious if there are any that you noticed?

Alan :

So one of my favorite surprises is in the backyard - the four puzzle piece limestone pavers. I remember we originally talked about doing cast-in-place concrete, but what I've really loved about those is as it's worn in, it's become a lot warmer. It feels like you can take your shoes off and feel the ground underneath your feet and these stones have really got this great deep hue, especially when it's raining. They look amazing. I know that sounds like a weird thing.

Matt :

No, I totally get it.

Alan :

That was my biggest surprise, how much I've liked the stone that we picked. Yeah, there’s the perfect initial look. I love beautiful spaces but I don't want to live in a glass house. I want things to be usable and movable and comfortable.

Matt :

The psychological perception of materials is something I think about all the time but the idea of how something receives rain I haven't thought about a ton; I love adding that to my list. Was there a problem we solved that you weren't even aware you had until we resolved it?

Alan :

Obviously, one of the main resolutions that has been a big change is the draining and leveling of the backyard. I didn't realize how often after rain I couldn't use it for days, but now it drains well. One of the things I really like that I didn't realize was such a pain before is the walkway from the street. I know that seems like a small detail, but I mean, neighbors' kids come up that walkway and roll toys down those stairs because they like them so much. It ended up being the only way anybody ever comes to my house. I mean, nobody walks up the driveway anymore: everybody walks up those stairs.

Matt :

It's such a clear entry experience that I think it's almost magnetic, and we always want our spaces to make sense on a subliminal level. Ok, what do you think makes a good designer or a good general contractor?

Alan :

I'm always looking for someone who's willing to collaborate. One of the reasons I always loved working with Patricia [Borowicz], the main architect, was that they were, as y'all were, always willing to be patient while I thought through, made edits, had feedback. I spend a good chunk of my disposable income on making my house comfortable and because of that, I also want it very much to be my house and not a cookie cutter version of what a nice house should look like. I think that's why Patricia recommended y'all because she knew you’d be a good fit for that.

Matt :

And did that carry through the construction phase as well?

Alan :

I mean, your timelines were right. As problems arose you gave me quick notes about them and when I would respond, you would give me quick feedback. It never felt like we were on a path of no ability to change and it was a farely seamless process.

Matt :

Okay. So, wrapping up, what's the toughest part of doing a big project like this [and] was it all worth it?

Alan :

It was always 100% worth it at the end of the day, but they go hand in hand. The toughest part of the project is that while it's going on, no matter what, no matter how good the person you're working with is, at some point, you're losing use of the space for whatever period of time it takes. Because of that, you will inevitably want it to be done because you want your house back. As soon as the project is done and you have the space, you forget all about the hardship that got you there and it really is just an amazing, immediate turn of the corner. I couldn't be happier, it really turned out to be the perfect space. There's more outdoor living space than there is indoor living space now.

Matt :

That's amazing. Well, hey, I really appreciate you. We always know when people are happy but it’s hard to be sure about the details of everything. It’s so helpful to get this feedback, I really appreciate it.

Alan :

I know it's weird, it’s been a year and a half getting through all this design and work and all that, and then as soon as it's done, it's basically all right, goodbye. I hope y'all know I'm not only happy, but you know, I love showing it off. It's wonderful.