ATX Green Awards
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7 years of recognizing aspirational projects.

2016

PROJECT OF THE YEAR:
Sol Austin

SUBMITTED BY : KRDB
OWNER : KRDB, LLC & BECK REIT, INC.

A 40- unit single-family small lot subdivision in an existing east Austin neighborhood, with all units Austin energy green building 4- or 5-star rated. The judges unanimously selected sol as the project of the year noting: “it has the whole package: net zero energy, affordability and green with a small footprint. This is the future of single family residential housing for Austin.”
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2400 Nueces
SUBMITTED BY : PAGE/
OWNER : EDUCATION REALTY TRUST

A student oriented multifamily high-rise in west campus neighborhood that earned Austin energy green building 4-star rating and LEED gold certification. The judges noted: “an impressive scale to successfully address an array of sustainability performance features and the post-occupancy evaluation makes a strong statement for what is working well.”
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AISD Performing Arts Center
SUBMITTED BY : PFLUGER ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS / MIRÓ RIVERA ARCHITECTS
OWNER : AUSTIN ISD

Located in the centrally located mixed-use Mueller development, this public facility hosts AISD and other community-oriented performances and events, and earned Austin energy green building 5-star rating and LEED gold certification. The judges commented: “a wonderful example of functional beauty and sustainability that can have a positive economic return.”
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Capital Studios
SUBMITTED BY : DICK CLARK + ASSOCIATES
OWNER : FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES
The first affordable housing complex in downtown Austin in 45 years, earning Austin energy green building 4-star rating and LEED platinum certification. The judges commented: “a game changer to have 100% affordable housing downtown with an impressive array of well-integrated green features.”
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City of Austin African American Cultural and Heritage Facility
SUBMITTED BY : MCKINNEY YORK ARCHITECTS
OWNER : CITY OF AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
This project couples historic rescue of an existing bungalow with construction of a new community facility that earned LEED gold certification. The judges noted: “cultural and social considerations are effectively woven into the broader green strategies. It takes a dedicated team to deliver something of this quality for the community.”
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LifeWorks Sooch Foundation Youth & Family Resource Center
SUBMITTED BY : MIRÓ RIVERA ARCHITECTS
OWNER : LIFEWORKS
Located in east Austin, this branch resource center for a social services agency provides programs in counseling, housing and workforce/education for youth and young families, and achieved an Austin energy green building 5-star rating. The judges commented: “raises the bar on expectations for everything about the process and the programs and the people who are receiving these services. The design elevates the mission of the building.”
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2017

PROJECT OF THE YEAR:
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
Learning Center at Lakeline Apartments

SUBMITTED BY : H+UO ARCHITECTS, LLP
OWNER : FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES​
The learning center is the first fully-inhabited “net zero” commercial building in Austin, ultimately producing more energy than it consumes.  Additionally, surrounding the building are metal cisterns which store rainwater harvested from the roof and a landscape which includes edible plants such as a loquat grove, herbs, sunflowers, and veggies planted in raised gardening beds for the children.  In keeping with the inspired mission of the client, foundation communities, the space will host after-school and summer learning programs for children as  well as “english as a second language” classes. For adults, the learning center will also provide financial coaching, exercise and nutrition classes, and help with health insurance enrollment.
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Milagro Springs Retreat
SUBMITTED BY : MIRÓ RIVERA ARCHITECTS
OWNER : CONFIDENTIAL
Situated on a sweeping Texas hill country meadow, this private residence is defined by a series of jagged roof peaks inspired by the rise and fall of the surrounding hills. Lovingly referred to as “the sanctuary” by its owners, this modern take on the farmhouse vernacular is centered on spiritual renewal. Stark white aluminum corrugated siding is broken at various intervals by warm cedar siding that defines a series of rooms outside the house, including a temple-like screen porch and an outdoor sculpture studio that doubles as a stage at gatherings 3-4 times a year. In every room, windows provide abundant natural light and frame views of the surrounding landscape.
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Bluebonnet Studios
SUBMITTED BY : FORGE CRAFT ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
OWNER : FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES
Featuring 107 efficiency units interwoven with amenity areas with social and educational program, the residences focus inwardly around a multi-height courtyard and outwardly engage the urban fabric of South Lamar Boulevard. In contrast to its eclectic context, bluebonnet studios presents a monolithic street facade with multicolored openings, each window serving as a marker of the residents' individual homes. Above all, the high design quality evident throughout bluebonnet studios engenders its tenants with a sense of pride and stewardship which carry immeasurable benefits.
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Electric Drive
The Future of Renewable Energy Mobility

SUBMITTED BY : AUSTIN ENERGY + SOL DESIGN LAB
OWNER : AUSTIN ENERGY
The electric drive is the new name for west 2nd street, celebrating its innovative approach to mobility’s future in the heart of the city. It is a renewable energy ‘green street’ that invites the public to utilize state of the art charging options for two and four wheel EVs (electric vehicles) plus public furniture, bike and car sharing, and access to local hike-and-bike trails. This family friendly model street is designed to give Austin a test-bed for renewable energy first hand as it gives everyone the means to take an active role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The electric drive’s centerpiece is an eye catching solar kiosk designed by sol design lab. This innovative design sparks conversations about solar technology, transportation infrastructure, public art and civic place making.
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2018

PROJECT OF THE YEAR:
Austin Central Library

SUBMITTED BY : LAKE | FLATO ARCHITECTS
OWNER : CITY OF AUSTIN
The library, designed to be the city’s “living room,” was envisioned as an iconic, civic hub where locals could connect with their community. Aspirational goals, set before design commenced, included to be the most daylit library in the country and to serve as a model for water conservation for institutional buildings.
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Blue Hole Regional Park
SUBMITTED BY : DESIGN WORKSHOP, INC.
OWNER : CITY OF WIMBERLEY
In 2003, the city, county and community embarked on a mission to save blue hole from encroaching development and unmanaged recreational development. Achieving sites certification, design strategies directly responded to community crafted goals that informed the design.​
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Lost Pines Art Center
SUBMITTED BY : BARLEY | PFEIFFER ARCHITECTURE
OWNER : LOST PINES ART LEAGUE
The concept developed from repurposing an existing farmer’s cooperative building to serve as an incubator for the Bastrop arts community and an anchor for the historic downtown district. The historic buildings provided design cues, with substantial salvage and reuse of materials and components into the new structure.
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Oracle Waterfront Campus
SUBMITTED BY : STG DESIGN, INC.
OWNER : ORACLE
The objective was a facility that inspires outstanding employee performance while enhancing comfort and well-being. The vision was to “create a campus resonating from an active core, blending with the surrounding context as it expands from its center.” The design includes flexible, forward-thinking spaces to accommodate new graduates entering the workforce.
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B-Austin Community Project
SUBMITTED BY : CLARK | RICHARDSON ARCHITECTS
OWNER : SAMDOROSA COMMUNITIES, LLC
From the beginning this project was about people. The developers are a family – the owners had a vision of creating a housing project where people could live a sustainable and community rich lifestyle and have amenities that embraced and furthered that lifestyle.
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Net Zero Retreat
SUBMITTED BY : BARLEY | PFEIFFER ARCHITECTURE
OWNER : LOUISA AND JOEL THOLLANDER
The homeowners were looking for the nexus of environmental stewardship, “high performance” comfort, and healthy living. This meant reliance on rainwater collection for indoor water use, a harmonious response to the site’s micro-climate, indoor air quality, natural ventilation, and maintaining the indoor/outdoor relationship.”
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Sustainable Food Center
SUBMITTED BY : DICK CLARK + ASSOCIATES
OWNER : SUSTAINABLE FOOD CENTER
From its conception the sustainable food center aimed to deliver a high-performance low impact building and serve as an urban agricultural hub for community members to learn and grow. The budget sensitive, efficient performance strategies include operable windows for cross ventilation, natural light, and sustainable materials.
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Alligator Creek Prairie Preserve
SUBMITTED BY : FORSITE STUDIO
OWNER : NANCY WEBBER
The project’s vision, design, and construction arise from the client’s personal ethos of treading the earth lightly and Forsite Studio’s interest in sustainable architecture attuned to its environmental context. The 100% off grid house has become an inspiration to all those who visit it, an exemplary of living in harmony with and in awe of nature.
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2019

PROJECT OF THE YEAR:
Advanced Green Builder Demonstration Project

SUBMITTED BY : CENTER FOR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL BUILDING SYSTEMS (CMPBS)
OWNER : CENTER FOR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL BUILDING SYSTEMS (CMPBS)
The advanced green builder demonstration (AGBD) project was conceived as a bold manifestation of a fundamental rethink of the way buildings are designed, constructed and operated, with six, visionary protocols (described below) used as the overarching framework:  ecobalance, biophilia, flexible building systems, visible green, low carbon/embodied energy and life cycle design.

AGBD was completed in 1998 and serves as office space and design studio. It is frequently used by other civic groups and educational programs looking for an inspiring venue in which to hold meetings and symposia. The building is a focal point for tours of school groups, ranging from pre-school to university graduate students, and to professional organizations.

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PROJECT OF THE YEAR:
Texas Mutual Insurance Company Headquarters

SUBMITTED BY : STUDIO8 ARCHITECTS
OWNER : TEXAS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
Located in the amenity-rich and transit-oriented community of the Mueller development, pedestrian interaction and the urban context of the site influenced the architectural material palette, scale and organization of public spaces, including a shared breezeway. After outgrowing their existing facility, the design team was tasked with creating a transparent and safe workplace for Texas Mutual’s new headquarters that accommodated the consolidation of over 600 employees, encouraged collaboration and social interaction, attracted and retained new talent, and provided flexibility for growth. Promoting well-being and fostering the Texas Mutual culture were driving factors in the spatial organization and key elements of the design. Daylighting, natural materials, and a biophilic approach utilizing materials that mimic natural patterns were implemented throughout. Social spaces were sporadically placed to encourage movement across floors, a multi-story green wall, and a courtyard and rooftop terrace with wi-fi connection encouraged employees to be connected to each other and to nature.
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Mary Elizabeth Branch Park
SUBMITTED BY : DESIGN WORKSHOP, INC.
OWNER : CATELLUS DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
Mary Elizabeth branch park is a 3.5-acre park in the heart of the Mueller development in Austin. The park was designed to accommodate the various recreation needs of a mixed-use, multi-generational community. The challenge was to provide a place that felt comfortable for a range of user groups. Opened in May 2019, branch park features a creative children’s playground, a dog run, a sand volleyball court, an interactive waterscape, and open lawn space and shady areas for picnics. In keeping with the overall spirit of Mueller, branch park demonstrates leadership in design, sustainable practices, community relevance and economic support within Mueller’s town center.

The social and land use context of the site were the main drivers of the design. Developing a new park site with no public history required careful study of who might end up using the park, when they might be there and what they might be looking to do. Forming a design around these factors helped to ensure the program resonates with visitors and is contextually appropriate. Land uses surrounding the park include townhomes, apartments, retail and office buildings. The park is a natural convergence point for the diverse areas of the overall development. It is located at a likely intersection of local park users and destination park users. This dynamic formed the approach for the entire park structure and program mix.

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UPCycle
SUBMITTED BY : GENSLER
OWNER : EVERWEST REAL ESTATE PARTNERS
Positioned at the heart of vibrant East Austin, an old single-story warehouse was converted into creative office, and reincarnated as a vibrant neighborhood hub. Built in 1972, the 65,000 square foot warehouse’s unique appearance was preserved while transforming the structure into a modern space optimized for collaboration. Updates include an additional 16,000 square feet of mezzanine space, new insulated roof with clerestories and skylights, new insulated metal panel enclosure, high-efficiency mechanical systems, common core restrooms, large windows, residential scale porches, and glass roll-up garage doors to provide greater access to the outdoors. A new entry lounge, created from a converted boxcar and placed on the building’s original railroad tracks, incorporates the colorful history of the location, and opens the space up for engagement with the community. Local artists whose work had been discovered in the abandoned structure were engaged to create new art, giving upcycle an aesthetic and experience that is uniquely East Austin.
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2020

Reflecting on the past and looking toward the future.

The events of 2020 brought into stark focus our collective challenges on racial equity, social justice and public health fronts, and prompted a re-set of how to assess the fundamental elements of projects going forward. Establishing a broader framework of intention with these metrics in place, taking action, and measuring results, will increasingly be the basis for determining success in the built environment. A sense of greater urgency and opportunity will define the next generation of sustainability in practice, just as the projects being designed and constructed today will have enormous consequence on Austin’s social, environmental, and health realities in the years ahead.
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For the 2020 Awards, we pivoted from our annual awards event to provide a virtual program with the theme of "Fulfilling the Promise of Sustainability."  Our program began with a reflection on what we’ve learned over the past four years, with a retrospective of our 22 awarded projects, followed by a panel conversation to gain perspective on how to more explicitly consider diversity, equity and inclusion in our work going forward.

congratulations to the awardees and thank you to all the teams that submitted to tHE awards!

  • 2022 Awards
  • 2021 Awards
  • Past Awards