Please join us by attending a presentation to be given by Tom Hatch, FAIA and Kristina Olivent, AIA of h+uo architects, along with co-presenters Shelly Murray of Austin Energy and Bungane Mehlomakulu of Integral Group.  The AIA Summer Conference presentation will be on Thursday, August 3rd at 3:00pm at the Norris Conference Center in Austin.

The one hour presentation will explore Foundation Communities’ Lakeline Station Learning Center which is slated to achieve Living Building Challenge Petal Certification and participated in the Austin Energy Green Building rating as well as their new Integrated Modeling Incentive.  The project team will discuss the Living Building Challenge and how incorporating early energy modeling, progressive utility programs, and rigorous performance imperatives produced a sustainable space that regenerates lives.

You can visit the AIA Austin Summer Conference website to register!

The Blackland Neighborhood is hosting a block party to celebrate its 30 year anniversary of community accomplishments. The celebration will take place on Saturday August 10, 2013 from 4:00pm-7:00pm, open to all. Attendees can expect food, kid activities, and an opportunity to mingle with others in the community. h+uo architects will also be in attendance.

Fannie Mae Stewart Village Rendering

The block party will also celebrate the recent development of the Fannie Mae Stewart Village, which is close to completion. Located on the 1900 block on East 22nd Street, the Fannie Mae Stewart Village includes an 8-unit apartment complex along with a transformed bungalow into a community conservatory. The Blackland Neighborhood has a history of suffering from disinvestment and predatory real estate speculation. This new addition was designed by h+uo architects and is part of an ongoing effort to maintain affordable housing in the neighborhood and in the city of Austin. Blackland Community Development Corporation was formed in 1983, right before it acquired a lot at 1904 East 22nd from an African-American maid, Fannie Mae Stewart.

About Blackland Community Development Corporation

The Blackland Community Development Corporation (BCDC) was incorporated in August 1983 as a non-profit, 501-C-3 corporation in the state of Texas. The boundaries of the Blackland Neighborhood are Comal Street on the west, Chestnut Avenue on the east, MLK Boulevard on the south, and Manor Road on the north.

Blackland CDC has built, maintains and leases 47 units for households earning less than 60 percent of the median income for Austin, most of which have been designed by Tom Hatch and his family of architects. Because affordable rental units are disappearing from the inner city, CDC does not sell units, knowing that in time they would likely sell to higher income families and would only delay gentrification.

Last week the City of Austin announced their selection of the Urban Design Group and team, including h+uo architects to develop a master plan for Colony Park. The fascinating part of the design selection process is that the city had to choose between two incredibly qualified planning teams, McCann Adams Studio and team and the Urban Design Group and team. The staff, council, and outspoken neighborhood joined forces to make a very difficult decision between these two extremely talented teams. The Urban Design Group team is really excited about being selected for this unique project that will transform northeast Austin!

Located in East Austin, east of U.S. Highway 183, the Urban Design Group will develop a plan to develop the vacant 208 acre lot into a master planned community. The city’s vision is to create a community that is not only environmentally sustainable, but also sustainable as a community, without displacing lower-income residents.

Forty percent of the 500 single-family units and 250 multifamily rental units will be affordable housing. h+uo architects will be the key player in designing and ensuring Colony Park’s affordability. Master planning design and neighborhood meetings are expected to begin in September 2013.