SOL, acronym for solutions oriented living, is a sustainable suburban community located 3 miles east of downtown Austin, Texas.
Here is a video I created which highlights the design features of SOL.
The link to the community website for more information is www.solaustin.com
erica. thanks for the video. i think technically [and believe me i am not a film expert and realize this isn't a film class] some of the transition and timing could use some editing...and just thinking about relationship of text to image as a composition...but great information. you did a good job identifying the main features that sets the project apart [community] [materials] [net-zero] [affordable]. i am most interested in knowing the difference between the 10 plan types. are they specifically to address the needs of different demographics? how are the houses developed and built? is it driven by the interest of an owner...who then thinks about lifestyle and pics a plan...or is it the standard build out as much as you can and hope they sell? also, talk specifically about the joint driveway if you will...what is the advantage to this? also, what is the reason for the varied set backs from the street?
ReplyDeleteLindsey,
ReplyDeleteHere is the link to a brochure showing the different plan options.
http://www.solaustin.com/brochure.pdf
They span from 1030sf to 1816sf all with courtyards, and from 2b/1b to 3b/3b layouts, one-story ranch-style to two-story. The pricing spans about 100k as well. So the range of plans could accomodate individuals,couples, and families depending on how much space the buyer needs/wants, which is typical. From what I have read, the developers offered all ten plans at the on-set for buyers to choose from but only built homes as they were purchased (since the ventured began in the Fall of 2008 during the "housing burst"). But they went ahead and sold "approximately half" to a non-profit group so they homes could be made available to low-income renters and buyers. In one article I read, an 85 yr old renter pays $600/mo for her 1030sf home. In 2010 the developers began building spec homes from their plans and it seems from their website that all lots are built upon now, just waiting for about ten more to be purchased.
It is interesting that the net-zero capabilities did not reach full capacity at every home. The original plan was to install photovoltaic panels on every roof and geothermal wells for every house, but the developers decided (again during the questionable economy) to make these "options" the buyer could install or have installed later. They state it is about $10k per well, and only one homeowner did that. However, on all of the houses sold to the non-profit, they were able to make the panels standard.
The joint access drives were utilized "to limit the amount of roadways within the community, which can also lead to greater opportunity for communication with neighbors, while cutting back on the need for vehicular transportation". The team focused on limiting the lot sizes not to be able to put more houses on the acreage, but to maximize the amount of green space. The joint driveways also allow for varied set backs, which “create a more interesting and heterogeneous public realm”. The architecture (many with courtyards coming off the center side of the house) and the set backs provide opportunity for more "quality outdoor space". In traditional site plans, homeowners are limited to the front yard/very public and back yard/usually very private green spaces.
Erica, the brochure link you posted was interesting on looking at the different plans and types. Quite a variety, which makes it nice to picture SOL as not a cookie-cutter neighborhood but rather a very nature inspired, artistic,and open area. This establishment is not too far from the home I chose in the Bouldin neighborhood of Austin. I found similarities in the goals, my home's focus was on sustainability, use of daylight and outdoor spaces also. Most of the homes presented this week (including mine) have been focused on warmer climates and structures that are able to be open and air-filled because of these warmer regions.
DeleteThis is more indirect from your project, but I keep asking myself if these projects would work in cooler climates and if not, what do designers and architects have in mind for regions with wind/rain/snow such as Minnesota, Colorado, North Dakota (which can't keep up with housing demand right now). They are in desparate need for quick housing: http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/21/pf/america_boomtown_housing/index.htm
I wonder what solutions are being proposed right now.
Another point for discussion:
ReplyDeleteIn the NY Times article, the author stated from her interview with the 85 yr old resident that people would often ask the resident if she lived in "those matchbox houses". Public perception of a community like this is intriguing and I'd love to see a study on it. Breaking down that description I wonder if the general public might refer to that phrase because of the general smaller size of the homes or the geometric architecture, or the colorful exteriors. I think this is where material selection is so important. If the team had chosen lesser quality exterior materials the curb appeal of this community would struggle- reminding passerbys of an affordable mobile home grouping, although a stretch. These homes do not boast soaring ceilings, with large porticos and huge columns of many "mcmansions" but the quality materials, use of natural light, open interiors, and inclusion of nature all make these modern, affordable homes successful. And the "site stewardship" is a large part of the success toward a community feel.
Erica- do you feel that these homes would be more successful if they were larger and would be made to look like more traditional suburban houses? I do. I feel like this is the beginning of something great but appeal to the masses isn't quite there yet. Its the same process that's going on with the automobile industry. When hybrids came out they looked drastically different than the rest to show everybody "hey, im driving a hybrid!" And now hybrids are looking more 'normal' every year. I understand certain exterior modifications must be made to make the house more sustainable but i feel that the appeal wont come until these technologies can be implemented in more traditional houses.
DeleteErica, This is a great development for affordable homes and an effort to revitalize an impoverished area. The greatest part of these houses is that will continue to be affordable for the renters/owners since they are sustainable homes (keeping the utility bills down, etc.). The various pricing options invites a financially diverse population and the joint driveways are excellent in getting to know the neighbors. I wonder how developments similar to this would work in areas other than impoverished areas. I could see developments like this be extremely popular in predominantly young and "artsy" areas of the city. It would also be interesting to see homes as modern as this be built in a "traditional" neighborhood.
ReplyDelete