11/14/09

Shoalwood project wins NARI award


The Austin chapter of NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) had their annual awards dinner this week, and Lee Mackenzie of Mackenzie Design Build won the award in the category "entire house- $250-500k" for the project at 5511 Shoalwood Avenue that many of you saw last month on the tour of remodeled homes.

It was already a winner in our book, but it's nice to know the NARI folks like it, too!

11/10/09

Just add water!


With the rain we got in October, it was finally possible to install some landscaping at Gabardine, and the results are beautiful! We're really pleased with the construction quality of the houses, too.

TBG Partners designed the landscape, focusing on great shared spaces, with seating areas and fire pits for the neighbors to enjoy together.

Remember when houses were filled with sunshine, or houses that allowed you to open the windows and enjoy the breeze? Remember what it was like to know your neighbors? That's what we're building at Gabardine. Those Old-School priorities would make our cottages unique in Austin's new home market at any price, but at $202k, the house at right offers more bang for the buck than any new home in the area.

It's a rare privilege for an architect to get the opportunity to work on reasonably-priced production housing. It's very challenging work, but we really enjoy it, and it's a treat to see Gabardine taking shape and growing as a community.

More photos soon...