2026 TRIBEZA Curb Appeal Winner Revealed: This Austin Home Was Designed With Every Angle in Mind
Builder Chris Risher’s award-winning home makes the most of a rare through lot with two distinct sides
For Chris Risher, curb appeal is an essential part of any home. When he and his wife set out to build a new home in the neighborhood where they had lived for more than 16 years, the goal wasn’t just to design something that met their needs but to create a house that looked as though it had always belonged.
A rare Austin through lot
Located on a rare 18,000-square-foot through lot with frontage on both Vista Lane and Keating Lane, the property presented a unique challenge. “Curb appeal is important on both sides of the house,” Risher says. Rather than prioritizing one facade, the home is designed to feel considered from every angle, with a manicured front lawn and picket fence on one side and vehicle access and a covered porch on the other.
Risher partnered with frequent collaborator Cuppett Kilpatrick Architecture + Interior Design, whose work he felt struck the right balance between traditional form and contemporary edge. After an initial meeting, he intentionally stepped back, allowing the architects to take the lead. “The more flexibility you give an architect you trust, the better,” he notes. “We love working with Cuppett Kilpatrick. Their aesthetic and detailing really spoke to my wife and me.”
An award-winning result
The result is a home that balances the character of its neighbors with a modern sensibility. Traditional proportions, like a steeply pitched roof and dormer windows, are paired with gentle curves and softened edges.
“Being a new home on the street in an older neighborhood, we didn’t want to be the oddball house,” he says. “We like traditional architecture, and the same can be said for the landscaping.”
Like many homes in Austin, mature trees played a role in shaping the siting. The house was configured into an L-shape to work around a large oak — one of several trees that initially drew Risher to the property — even as one was lost during construction. The landscaping, done by David Wilson Garden Design, plays a key role in the overall look as well, with formal hedges that complement the existing canopy.
Built for Austin’s climate
Material choices were guided by durability. “Being a builder, I knew I wanted a low-maintenance home,” he recalls. Hand-cast Mexican brick, selected for its unique, handmade quality, brings an artisan feel, while Thermory, a modified wood siding designed to perform well in hot climates, adds a grounded appeal. “I was a little nervous about using wood on the exterior,” he says. “So we wanted something that would hold up over time.” Placed in more protected areas, it adds contrast without the upkeep.
The fence also serves a practical purpose. “Our old house had something similar, and our two dogs loved being out there as neighbors walked by to say hi,” he says. Plus, the gate — painted in Sherwin Williams “Porpoise” 7047 — serves as a whimsical element, mirroring the home’s siding with a cutout that echoes the front door beyond, while the address is part of the custom latch.
The door, a bold break from the otherwise restrained palette, is painted in Benjamin Moore “Vermont Slate” 1673, leaving a lasting impression.
Now fully settled in, the home reflects both how the family lives and how Risher approaches his work: straightforward, considered and built to last.
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