Day One - Austin Goes Green

9717 Peakridge, Austin, TX

Day one of the Texas Real Estate Tour began by visiting green built home sites in this year's Cool House Tour in Austin, TX. The homes were located throughout Austin.  All told, we visited 9 homes each with differing degrees of energy efficiency and green features.  We also visited an architect's home/office and a multi-family development that had sustainable features.  Many similarities emerged during our tour.  The most notable being that the word 'green' means different things to different people.  You might say the lesson learned is that green building is in the eye of the beholder.  Some homes were attempting to leave a very small footprint and be completely off the grid while others were using the latest in green technology to lessen their overall environmental impact.  Adding green features to a home cost money, and for many, the payback period is still unknown.  For some, the desire to be environmentally friendly is so strong that payback periods and life cycle costs are not a strong consideration.  Most people, however, build a home on a budget and therefore must prioritize in the construction of their home.  This makes understanding the payback period extremely important.  As more green buildings are constructed, data used in determining payback periods will become more widely available. Obviously, Austin is leading the charge in Texas toward residential construction that is more sustainable.  Other cities are likely to follow.

Although all of the homes on the tour contained standard green features such as low-flow faucets and energy efficient lighting, the home that really stood out was the first home we visited on the tour.  It was impressive because it was completely self-sufficient with regard to water (20,000 gallon rainwater system), including potable water.  The home at 9717 Peakridge, built by Hill Country EcoBuilders, also had a geothermal heat pump for heating and cooling the home, as well as a solar system.  As a result, it was the home that seemed the most sustainable as its features covered functionality and aesthetics.  Although many of the other homes on the Cool House Tour were unique and interesting, this one, located in a traditional subdivision, stood out as being the most 'green' of them all.  It also broke away from the stereotype that green homes are less attractive.  This home had it all - including exceptional finish-out such as bamboo cabinetry - in addition to its many green features.

Residential Sustainable Architecture

Across the board, day one of the Texas Real Estate Tour was filled with many interesting surprises.  Although each home we visited was unique, the home on Peakridge was my favorite site visit on day one because it seemed like the most sustainable home we saw, although the Wylie residence with its straw bale construction might give it a run for the money.

Design by Barley & Pfeiffer

The most amazing home design, however, goes to the architects who designed 7119 Valburn Drive in Austin near Town Lake.  This home was designed by Barley & Pheiffer Architects. It was the coolest home on the Cool House Tour. Amazing porches (some screened) capture prevailing breezes and provide exceptional outdoor living space with gorgeous views of the hill country.  South facing windows provided excellent daylighting, eliminating much of the need for artificial lighting during the day.  A metal roof was installed to accommodate both rainwater collection and solar pv system. Surprisingly, one of the most impressive features of the home, I thought, was the detached garage, an easy way to eliminate gases from seeping into the living space.  Overall, it is a beautiful and sustainable home with incredible attention to detail and an outstanding design.

Overall, it does seem that Austin is ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainable building practices.  The city is adopting legislation that requires home owners to perform energy audits prior to selling a home.  They are also implementing more stringent building codes that require new construction to install more energy efficient features.  This makes sense seeing as how Austin has always fought to preserve its natural landscape.  Its a fight that has paid off as many people are drawn to the inherent beauty of Austin. Austin's growth will continue to pose challenges to its unique small town vibe and natural heritage, but the city is moving forward and still managing to maintain its 'Keep Austin Weird' mindset as well as its natural beauty.  In spite of the traffic, Austin is a great city with the potential to continue to grow and prosper.  It has certainly defied the odds during the real estate downturn by continuing along a very positive real estate trajectory. I look forward to seeing how Austin looks in ten years -- who knows maybe BlueLeaf Realty will open a satellite office in Austin in the coming years.  If so, maybe an office with green features will be in order.  Day one of the 2012 TX Real Estate Tour was a big success.