Tom Hatch speaking to SABIT business leaders

Business leaders of the 2012 SABIT Energy Efficiency and Renewables in Construction program made a special visit to Austin to see the new M-Station late last year. The goal of their visit was to promote the application of energy efficient principles and technologies in the construction industry in their home countries. The visit included a Q& A session with our Senior Partner, Tom Hatch, and a tour of the M-Station community.

With the help of a translator, the SABIT group inquired about the logistics and funding of the project. They were fascinated by the concept of a “nonprofit”– an organization model that is non-existent in their home countries. The leaders were very excited and enthusiastic about the project.

About M Station
M Station, a Foundation Communities Project, is a 150-unit affordable apartment community for working families in east Austin. This oblong 8.5 acre piece of land is long and narrow as it is located between a creek on the east and the Capital Metro light rail on the west. A green-built model of eco-friendly, transit-oriented development and affordable housing, M Station includes a childcare center, a Community Learning center with after-school programs and a computer lab open to the neighborhood. Residents also benefit from easy access to the MetroRail transit station, a great neighborhood school just a few blocks away, and the Children’s Museum Workshop and the Sustainable Food Center Kitchen and Gardens being built across the street. M Station is the first affordable multifamily community located in the MLK transit-oriented district (TOD), the first LEED for Homes multifamily project in Austin, and the first multifamily LEED for Homes Platinum community in Texas.

About SABIT Program
The SABIT Program facilitates numerous professional relationships between economic decision-makers from both the U.S. and Eurasia. SABIT is a division of the Department of Commerce Market Access and Compliance unit. To learn more about their organization, click here.

Both the Library Journal and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have recognized the Alpine Public Library as a finalist for the Best Small Library in America Award for 2013. This tremendous honor is shared with one other library, both of whom will receive a $10,000 cash award, travel funds for two to the 2014 Public Library Association annual conference, and a write-up in the February 2013 issue of Library Journal.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Lead architect Tom Hatch transformed this new building a few blocks to the west into what is now known as the Alpine Public Library, and is identified as “the living room of Alpine.” The goal was to design a library that was indigenous yet distinguishable from the architecture of Marfa, its neighbor to the west. With a sustainable design, this building also includes outdoor activity areas.

Due to constant funding obstacles, building the Alpine Public Library was quite the undertaking and became a long term project. This project is a true reflection of amazing team work and perseverance. We have a tremendous amount of gratitude towards Friends of the Library for their ongoing donations; many aspects of this project would not have happened if it weren’t for you! Thank you to the library board for their diligent efforts to keep a challenging project on track, as well as Brewster County and Judge Val Beard.

You all made this happen!

February 2nd marked the grand opening of the new Morris Williams Golf Course Pro Shop and Cart Barn. The existing 2,700 square foot pro shop, originally constructed in 1963 was in tremendous need of revival. The Parks and Recreation Department coordinated the construction of the new facility and renovation of the existing golf course.

Designed by architect Erik Ulland, the new 5,000 square foot “low-country” style facility includes a pro shop with offices, a large kitchen, dining areas, and restrooms, along with a golf cart barn on the lower level. The southern style with generous porches affords multiple relaxing views of the course from the main level. Ulland designed this sustainable structure with photovoltaic panels, repurposed wood arched beams from the original structure along with energy efficient design and sustainable materials to achieve a LEED silver rating. One of the main challenges of this project was integrating a large facility into a site with tight constraints, which was successfully achieved. “It was an exciting and challenging project,” said Ulland.

The new pro shop facility will provide a comfortable space for golfers to relax during and after rounds that will appeal to various generations of golfers. The paramount design of the Morris Williams Golf Course & Pro Shop will make this site the new golfing hub in Austin!