A few weeks ago this new modern, 5 star Austin Energy green rated home was completed at SOL Austin.  The 1140 SF plan has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on either end of the house providing excellent privacy. There are two sets of sliders each with exterior mounted louvers that connect a large courtyard to the living room/dinning room/kitchen.

This is the home of Sam and Catherine, 2 Architects that have become the latest residents to start living at SOL. The couple take us on a tour of their house, explaining a few special design elements and a few of the sustainable building features.

Video tour of house on youtube:

Sam and Catherine on YouTube

The first 2 Story house will be starting within the next month at SOL. This is a new house plan for SOL that includes a comfortable entry nook with wrap around window at the kitchen, a very open kitchen, dining, living room, and master suite that overlooks a large integrated private courtyard on the main level. The second level has 2 other bedrooms (3 bedrooms total), a laundry room and upper deck.

This house is sold. However, we will be building a few others of the same floor plan at SOL. Please contact us at 512-374-9046 Ex 27 for floor plans, pricing and other details.

Friends of SOL Austin. We had a great time hosting the Cool Houses Tour at one of our SOL homes this last Sunday. We featured a home that a few of our residents live in and which, of course, they decorated themselves maybe even better than we could have. Seems this is a pretty good example of making a Modern Austin home comfy with heirlooms, personal artwork, and some very sweet mod furniture. This home is also 5 Star Austin Energy Green rated and is powered by Solar Arrays.

For more photos of this house see the “SOL Austin” page on Facebook.

Best, Blaine

We just finished making a 1930s Bungalow we moved from a location 100 feet away in SOL to the front corner of Lux Street and Perry Road into an all new way Modern home. The house was just rated 5 Star Green by Austin Energy. Oh and, it also has an outdoor shower!

See the SOL Austin Facebook page for all the photos:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4261986&id=175244273493#!/SOLAustin?ref=ts

Best, Blaine

J Blaine Vortman
SOL Austin / KRDB
M: 616.490.9214
W: 512.374.0946 Ext. 27
www.solaustin.com
www.krdb.com

SOL has been featured on the PBS NewsHour in an interview by two Austin High School Students. The 2 minute piece on SOL is mid way through the interview just after Enviromedia.

Chk it out:  module.html?s=news01s3e6eqe81

This 5 Star Austin Energy Green rated home is Net Zero energy use ready. On top of a very tight home envelop, the home is all electric, it has solar arrays, a CES panel (for complete on-line electrical monitoring and controlling), and a geothermal heating/cooling system.

The plan is a fresh Modern style with cinder block, cement board siding, a painted steel awning, cedar fencing, and a bold wrap around corner window.

There are 3 courtyards integrated with the homes architecture and interconnected with a walkway to each private outdoor space. The living room opens to two of the courtyards on opposite sides of the space, creating a seamless indoor/outdoor connection that magically expands the living spaces. The living room, master bedroom and office area all overlook the middle main courtyard. The courtyard out front serves as a sitting/reading area, the courtyard in the middle can be used as an outdoor dining room, and the courtyard in the rear has three raised garden beds for the freshest flowers and plant-life.

We have plans to build a few more homes with this same floor plan at SOL. Please contact us for more information at info@solaustin.com .

We have recently added a compact 1111sf, 2 bedroom, 2 bath “sideyard” or bar building to the Sol plan mix.  this 16′x65′ plan with an entry vestibule and front loaded carport has CMU block on three sides to an 8′ datum with a linear butterfly roof and clerestory windows throughout.  The building is justified to the edge of the property and has large sliding patio doors opening on to a generous side yard, creating a horizontal expansion of space to the landscape.

The one-of-a-kind “Sammie” renovation house is under construction at Sol.  Utilizing an existing 800sf bungalow that was on the property when purchased, we are renovating and expanding this highly functional 50 year old home.  Utimately it will be a 1238 sf, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home.  The existing house will contain two bedrooms as well as the Living/Dining/Kitchen.  The addition contains the entryway, functional hall with built in desk area and utility, and the master bedroom suite (with outdoor shower). Click on thumbnails below to see full images.

Our first 1505 plan is well under way.  Featuring SIP panel construction, insulated CMU, geothermal heating and cooling as well as all of the other fabulous features of our Sol homes.  This 3 bedroom, 2 bath plan is a courtard plan with the living space articulated in CMU and the private spaces forming the remaining “L” shape of the building.

The first three homes were completed and granted Certificate of Occupancy this past week.  Also, we finalized our Green Builder Program ratings and received Five Stars on all three homes! The first residents will be moving in within the next couple weeks. This week we will be starting construction on a 1538 and the renovation house.  Open houses will be happening most Saturdays.  Join us during the EAST Studio tour for an open house and party November 22nd from 6pm to 9pm.  For more information email chris@krdb.com