A final reminder about the East Austin Studio Tour this weekend:

I think the image says it all.  Here is a link for full details:

East Austin Studio Tour 2008

For more info, Austinist has done a series of posts this week about artists on the tour.

I’m excited to see my friend Kollin Baker on the tour.  Kollin is an amazing craftsman who specializes in concrete.  His ceramic work is very cool.  We have hired him to stain our floors and for concrete countertops, and have never been disappointed.  Check out Kollin’s site here:  Absolute Concrete

There are a couple of interesting housing-related articles in the Statesman today.  First, an article about how green features are being used to help sell homes in a tough market.  Here is a snippet:

Hybrid homes become a selling tool

First came the push for fuel-efficient cars. Are fuel-efficient houses next?

As builders look for ways to move homes in a lousy market, they’re increasingly taking their cue from carmakers and turning toward energy efficiency as a selling tool…

Several Austin projects are mentioned (in addition to other areas).  A referenced study suggests that builders feel that ‘green’ homes are easier to market.  I’ve talked to a few Austin builders who agree with this sentiment.  The bottom line – the market is driving builders to implement energy efficient features.  See the full article here: Austin American Statesman – Hybrid homes become a selling tool

The other article (from the Wall Street Journal) talks about the growing popularity of “Design-Build” firms.  Rather than hiring Architect A for design and Builder B for construction – more firms are offering both services.  Here is a snippet:

When the architect is also the contractor

… This architect-as-contractor model, called design-build, had already been gaining new traction at the highest echelons of the housing market, as clients seek ways to execute cutting-edge designs without the headaches often associated with such construction. Membership in the American Institute of Architects’ design-build community has nearly tripled over the past five years, and teachers at several architecture programs across the Midwest report that enrollment in design-build classes has doubled…

Here is a link to the full text – definitely worth a read: Austin American Statesman – When the architect is also the contractor.  The article does a great job of covering the benefits to the client and the firm – as well as several examples.  I had no idea the AIA banned this practice until 1979!  As far as this trend – Austin has our share of great design-build firms like Cottam-Hargrave, KRDB, Clayton-Levy-Little have built amazing projects around town.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.  We’re still awaiting internet service at the house so my usual late-night writing sessions are harder to pull off.  I have kept the Modern Home list up to date, and I’ll get back on a posting schedule soon.

In the meantime – here’s a fun event for tomorrow night:

The event is Thursday, November 6th, at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden. Doors open at 7pm and admission is $5 to non-members.

Mell Lawrence has a lot of great work in and around town.  It should be an excellent presentation and I believe the last of the season, so don’t miss out!