Austin's floodplain regulations are designed to protect lives and property from flood hazards. The city enforces these rules through the Land Development Code (LDC) and local amendments to the Building Code. This guide covers floodplain restrictions, permitting requirements, and essential floodproofing strategies to help you prepare build your house in Austin’s flood zones.

In Austin, Texas, where summer temperatures soar, managing solar heat gain is a critical factor in designing energy-efficient homes. On average, Austin receives 1,714 BTUs per square foot per day from solar radiation, with peak values in August reaching 6.26 kWh/m²/day and lower levels in December around 4.44 kWh/m²/day. Without strategic design interventions, excessive heat gain can lead to higher cooling costs, discomfort, and increased energy consumption.

We’re excited to share that our permit for the new Boba Tea Shop, The Alley Project, has been approved in just 28 days in Sunset Valley! Our estimated opening date is set for summer 2025. Stay tuned for more updates as we progress!

Did you have a positive experience with our architecture services? Help us reach new heights by spreading the word to your friends and family! We're excited to announce our official Client Referral Program! Your trust means the world to us, and we want to reward you for sharing our passion for design and innovation.

Refer a friend or family member to our services, and let's embark on this journey together, creating beautiful, inspiring spaces that last a lifetime.

Grease traps are essential components in the plumbing systems of restaurants and food establishments. They are designed to capture fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from wastewater before it enters the sewage system. Most jurisdictions require grease traps in establishments that prepare and serve food, as these substances can clog drains, create sewage backups, and contribute to environmental pollution. If your restaurant or food shop has a kitchen with sinks, dishwashers, or any fixtures responsible for grease disposal, a grease trap will likely be necessary.

Manufactured homes must adhere to HUD Code standards, which ensure safety, durability, and affordability. This federal code governs the construction, design, and installation of manufactured homes, and it preempts state and local building codes for factory-built housing. By complying with HUD standards, manufactured homes offer a reliable housing option, maintaining quality while remaining cost-effective for consumers. This regulatory framework is crucial for protecting the interests of homeowners and creating a consistent standard across the nation for factory-built residences.

Effective stormwater management is crucial for maintaining the health of our environments and communities, especially in urban areas like Austin, Texas. Detention ponds play a vital role in this process, designed to temporarily store excess stormwater runoff and mitigate flooding. By controlling the flow rate of runoff, these ponds help protect local water quality and reduce erosion, ensuring that both natural ecosystems and developed areas remain safe and functional.

For commercial developers, understanding how to calculate the appropriate size of a detention pond is essential not just for compliance with local regulations but also for the long-term sustainability of their projects. In this post, we'll provide a step-by-step guide to calculating the size of a detention pond, using a practical example of a 1.1-acre lot with a 7,000 square foot structure.

SB2038 opens up possibilities for landowners in Austin's ETJ to capitalize on their property through greater freedom in development, reduced regulatory burdens, and potential increases in property value. This law represents a significant shift that could impact land use and development patterns in the surrounding areas of Austin.

Announced in 2023 and 2024, the HOME (Housing Options for Middle-Income Empowerment) Initiative in Austin is set to revolutionize housing regulations through two phases aimed at enhancing affordability and diversifying housing options.

• Phase 1 (Adopted December 7, 2023) allows up to three housing units, including tiny homes, on single-family zoned properties, and revises existing regulations to encourage more flexible living arrangements.

• Phase 2 (Adopted May 16, 2024) reduces minimum lot sizes from 5,750 to 1,800 square feet, opens the door for small lot development, and introduces density bonuses for affordable housing in commercial districts.