Our Senior Partner, Tom Hatch, FAIA has played a significant role in providing affordable housing in Austin’s east side neighborhoods. As architect on many affordable housing projects, he has helped shape east Austin by making its neighborhoods safer while maintaining a sensitivity to its unique history.

The Guadalupe Neighborhood, one of the city’s fastest changing neighborhoods is among these neighborhoods. Michael Barnes, of the Austin American Statesman wrote an article in the newspaper’s REAL Magazine, shining a spotlight on this neighborhood and took some time to chat with our very own, Tom Hatch.

Small town in the big city
In close-in Guadalupe neighborhood, history blends with hipster hangouts

One inescapable fact about the Guadalupe neighborhood: It rests atop a steep hill.

In fact, this high point on the wooded prairie is also known as Robertson Hill, named for Dr. Joseph W. Robertson, who purchased the land around the French Legation in 1848. His descendants lived here for almost 100 years. At least one street, Lydia, still bears a family member’s name. Full article>>

Restaurant Management features J. Black’s Houston grand opening celebration.

J. Black’s Feel Good Kitchen & Lounge held its grand opening yesterday in Houston. The location, along with stores in Dallas and Austin, Texas (as well as a location set to open in Fort Worth, Texas, by the end of the year), was designed by Randall Owen of Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects (h+uo). The newest location for the upscale restaurant and lounge concept is in the heart of Houston’s Washington corridor. It opened quietly in June, preparing for the grand opening.

Full Article>>

In 2008, h+uo Partner, Erik Ulland spent some time redesigning his previous home in Central Austin. One of the special elements of his design was featured in this week’s Houzz.com article on sunrooms.

The design included four folding glass doors that open with the touch of a hand to create an opening 12 feet wide by 8 feet tall.

Erik’s design allowed for the main interior living space to flow into the sunroom effectively doubling the living space. The goal was to bring the outside in to create an al fresco dining area protected from biting mosquitoes and the Austin heat.
To check out the rest of this gorgeous Austin home and other home design ideas, click the following links: Central Austin Residence | Houzz.com Soothing Sunroom Designs

Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects tapped for Chicon Corridor Project

After a month long selection process, CNRC (Chestnut Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation), a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, has selected Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects in collaboration with consultant, Trinity White to design and oversee construction of their latest project, the Chicon Corridor. To read the Austin Business Journal’s online article about this important step forward for the Chestnut Neighborhood, click here.

Entry by Randall Owen, Partner, h+uo

We are pleased to announce that another one of our projects, J. Black’s Feel Good Kitchen & Lounge is open for business in Houston, TX. Like J. Black’s Austin on West 6th Street which opened five short years ago and J. Black’s Dallas on Henderson Avenue that opened just over two years ago, this latest iteration includes the signature oval bar, the Old Chicago brick and the operable doors/windows that create indoor/outdoor seating areas. 

Although similar in character to its preceding establishments, this is the first location with two separate bars. Located at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Heights Boulevard, the newest location will continue the success of the J. Black’s brand which hatch + ulland owen architects helped to create back in 2006.

With building permits issued and construction ramping up, we are anticipating the fourth J. Black’s location in Fort Worth to open sometime later this year. Also designed by hatch + ulland owen architects, this one is located in the mixed-use development, So7. Like the Houston restaurant, this one will be unmistakably J. Black’s, but will include some of the unique, surprise elements that make each J. Black’s location its own.

~Randall Owen