Austin Cool House Tour 2018 a study in smart design

For residents of Austin, Texas, the 22nd annual Cool House Tour is an opportunity to take in the latest in high-performance residential architecture, encompassing both new construction and remodels across single- and multi-family configurations. These are, well, cool houses that incorporate smart design from the ground up and and respond appropriately to their deep-in-the-heart-of-Texas locale and a climate that can be oppressively hot. This year’s tour runs on Sunday, June 10, a day when the temperature is expected to reach 95° Fahrenheit.

According to the co-producers—Austin Energy Green Building and the Texas Solar Energy Society—the self-guided tour “showcases homes that are designed and built to high standards of energy efficiency, comfort, and regional design. This signature event is a resource for learning how to live comfortably in the hot Central Texas climate. Homeowners and building professionals will be available to share their experience with you on bringing these sustainable homes to fruition.”

So, one can learn from not only the actual residents of these properties, but the architects, designers, and builders behind them. Many of the properties have rooftop or community solar arrays to offset their monthly utility costs, and several are fitted with smart-home features.

Tickets are $25 and available here. For those unable to attend the tour in person, below are slideshow previews of 3 of the 8 properties that will be open for viewing.

All images by Austin architectural photographer Leonid Furmansky unless otherwise noted.

2009 East 13th Street | Austin, Texas

Strong Roots Development: Eddie Thomas and Jonathan Clow

New construction
1,900 SF + 300 SF accessory dwelling unit
10 kW solar photovoltaic array
Austin Energy Green Building 5-star rated.

Strong Roots Development, front elevation. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Strong Roots Development, loft area upstairs. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Strong Roots Development, bath. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Strong Roots Development, living area downstairs. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Strong Roots Development, kitchen area. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Strong Roots Development, accessory dwelling unit. Image: Digitized House Media.

2207 East 9th Street | Austin, Texas

Carter Design Associates: Donna Carter, FAIA
Tensegrity, LLC: Wilson Owen

New construction
Rainwater catchment system with 2,500-gallon underground tank
7.4 kW solar photovoltaic array
Austin Energy Green Building 5-star rated.

Carter Design Associates and Tensegrity, LLC, entry. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Carter Design Associates and Tensegrity, LLC, screen porch. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Carter Design Associates and Tensegrity, LLC, dining area. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Carter Design Associates and Tensegrity, LLC, bath. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

1713 Wethersfield Road | Austin, Texas

Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture: Alan Barley, AIA and Peter Pfeiffer, FAIA
Hudson Custom Homes: Tommy Hudson

Remodel and expansion of home in National Register of Historic Places
Proprietary shading umbrella roof system by Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture
Energy bills reduced by 50% following remodel
Austin Energy Green Building 4-star rated

Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture and Hudson Custom Homes, front elevation. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture and Hudson Custom Homes, kitchen. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture and Hudson Custom Homes, daylighting. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture and Hudson Custom Homes, outdoor living and screen porch. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture and Hudson Custom Homes, bath. Image: Leonid Furmansky.

Tom Kolnowski

Tom Kolnowski is the Chief Content Officer & Founder of Digitized House Media, LLC, the publisher of Digitized House | Guide to the Connected Home. When he isn’t writing about smart home technology, sustainability, and high-performance architecture, you’ll find him exploring faraway destinations with his family.