The month of June in the city of Austin, Texas, can be blistering hot, as the sometimes-moderate temperatures of spring yield to an often-oppressive summer climate where the thermometer can climb toward or inch beyond the century mark. And it is no coincidence that the Cool House Tour—an annual must-see tour event graced with cool, energy-efficient, and sun-shielding homes—is so-scheduled as a welcome respite from the heat. Produced by Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) and the Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES), the 2017 edition runs on Sunday, June 11, and features 8 such green venues, each gems of this architectural genre in unique and varied ways.
For more details on each of the 8 homes—including information on the relevant architects, designers, builders, sponsors, and homeowners—click the links below. The linked pages also give details on many of the design and energy efficiency features that contribute to the AEGB 5-star ratings each home was awarded (the highest rating possible in this green certification program), a testimony to their inherently high-performance and healthy nature.
Laura Britt Design, Tornbjerg Design, and Bonterra Build | Design

Image courtesy of Leonid Furmansky + Laura Britt Design, Tornbjerg Design, Bonterra Build | Design.
Image courtesy of Leonid Furmansky + Laura Britt Design, Tornbjerg Design, Bonterra Build | Design.
The Muskin Company and Clayton & Little Architects
Image courtesy of Leonid Furmansky + The Muskin Company, Clayton & Little Architects.
Trinity White Architecture and Mischel Wood Works
Image courtesy of Leonid Furmansky + Trinity White Architecture and Mischel Wood Works.
Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture and Capital Construction Company
Image courtesy of Leonid Furmansky + Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture, Capital Construction Company.
Foundation Communities, Forge Craft Architecture + Design, and SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.
Image courtesy of Leonid Furmansky + Foundation Communities, Forge Craft Architecture + Design, SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.
Clay Sand Straw Design-Build
Image courtesy of Leonid Furmansky + Clay Sand Straw Design-Build.
NATiVE, Inc. and Thoughtcrib, Inc.
Image courtesy of Leonid Furmansky + NATiVE, Inc., Thoughtcrib, Inc.
Image courtesy of Leonid Furmansky + NATiVE, Inc., Thoughtcrib, Inc.
NATiVE, Inc. and Lévy Kohlhaas Architecture
Image courtesy of Leonid Furmansky + NATiVE, Inc., Lévy Kohlhaas Architecture.
We hope to cross paths with you on the tour route.
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Purchase Cool House Tour tickets online
Purchase tickets in-person at local retail partners: TreeHouse Austin and Zinger Hardware