Architect / Engineer for modest home ideas. (Austin: real estate, to buy, construction)

[Colin W]

Hi!

We will be relocating to Austin area this summer and should be in a position to buy but I am highly motivated to build. I already have a builder but need an engineer and architect who is well versed in ICF (or other cement options) and who is up to the challenge of incorporating energy efficient and healthy elements while remaining economically feasible. Basically, I want to recover the extra cost of the "smart" elements inside of ten years with energy savings and fresh food from the garden.

I would like to stay single story, around 2000 sq ft. + Garage

Some elements of interest are;

ICF construction with parapet roof-deck (i know, i know. I said single story...)

PV system. False roof shading roof-deck w/panels on top... (?)

Plot plan w/small integrated urban farming space.

My desire is to build the whole plot as a "home" that is safe and energy efficient and will make smart things like raised gardens and aquaponics a design feature and not an afterthought.

Please PM me for contact info if interested. If anyone has any ideas or experience along these lines I would love to hear aboutit.



Thanks,
Colin

[centralaustinite]

You already have a lot?

[Colin W]

Not yet. I have been shopping on line but that is tough. When we leave Hawaii we will be living down near Corpus doing real estate field trips up to the area to get a feel... we are not in a big hurry. Trying to stay within 30 min. from South East side during traffic. That's our starting point anyway.

C

[JT-3]

Try here maybe.
https://www.aiaaustin.org/content/firm-finder

[Colin W]

That's a great resource JT Wow! Lots to look at.
Thanks!

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by Colin W

Hi!

We will be relocating to Austin area this summer and should be in a position to buy but I am highly motivated to build. I already have a builder but need an engineer and architect who is well versed in ICF (or other cement options) and who is up to the challenge of incorporating energy efficient and healthy elements while remaining economically feasible. Basically, I want to recover the extra cost of the "smart" elements inside of ten years with energy savings and fresh food from the garden.

I would like to stay single story, around 2000 sq ft. + Garage

Some elements of interest are;

ICF construction with parapet roof-deck (i know, i know. I said single story...)

PV system. False roof shading roof-deck w/panels on top... (?)

Plot plan w/small integrated urban farming space.

My desire is to build the whole plot as a "home" that is safe and energy efficient and will make smart things like raised gardens and aquaponics a design feature and not an afterthought.

Please PM me for contact info if interested. If anyone has any ideas or experience along these lines I would love to hear aboutit.



Thanks,
Colin

I don't have any architect suggestions but I'd love to see progress updates and pictures once you start building.

Were you planning on being close in to the city or further out? If you'd be in the "McMansion" ordinance area, some of those extra design restrictions could be issues.

If you'll be within the actual Austin Energy service area, you'll want to check their solar programs.

[Colin W]

The closer the better but, as you say, zone regulations, Solar incentives in addition to land prices... My goal is to make a comfortable, low maintenance home that is designed to make smart things like small scale urban farming practical and convenient.
Not a new idea. The challenge is to make it an affordable option. I think I could do it on a 10,000 sq ft lot.

Wife says it needs to look pretty too...so there's that

C

[centralaustinite]

I think your biggest obstacle will being finding contractors and subs who want to do it. There is no shortage of work and projects in this town, very few will have the time and inclination to take on small project that involves new work methods. Would have been easy to do in 2009-2010. Now, it can be near impossible to get subs to bid and complete smaller jobs.

[lzydogrnch]

Try Structures. A friend is an engineer there. I love their work.
Structures | Solutions Beyond the Structure

Now the lot is trickier, but I be seen a few on the MLS that may fit the bill.

[Trainwreck20]

If you are within Austin Energy's domain, then you get additional subsidy for solar panels (over and above the federal subsidy).