Traditional Architecture

Some folks have asked to see examples of more traditional-style architecture by our office so here are some images of recent work in that genre.

Crestview House

This is our latest design to become a real building. Alex Pettit of Spring Builders is the general contractor. The design is very strictly traditional with extensive research into early 20th century architecture serving as the basis for the overall design and details. I should also admit that the owners have played a big part in actively selecting the interior finishes and I will post updates of the interior to show how nice it's looking.

If you'd like to see other residential architecture in Austin that we've done, please visit our website at www.nickmehl.com.

Building Types

Just returned from a few days vacation and the pause from work gave me a chance to reflect on business (I know I shouldn't be doing that). My specialty seems to be residential green design but do you ever wonder what commissions I would like to take other than single family homes - which I love to do, by the way? Here's a brief list:

1. Mixed-use neighborhood design. Not many people know, but urban neighborhood design was my concentration in grad school. Yes, architects design whole neighborhoods too, sometimes.
2. Mid-rise condominium project on the Texas Gulf Coast. My insurance company might not be too fond of this idea.
3. Catholic or Episcopal Church.
4. Small boutique hotel or inn.

I'll give a 5% discount onany projects like these that come in the door! (Just kidding)

Current Work

Here's a little sampling of work in progress in the office. The project featured is a 3000sf house on Lake LBJ about 50 miles from Austin. The house will feature a 14'-16' tall window wall of glass and steel facing the lake, radiant heated floors and a four car garage for the owner's vintage car collection.

Construction Financing Option

HUD offers a construction financing option that one of my clients is using. It's called a HUD 203(k) loan and it works really well with inner city single-family rehabilitation projects. That's not to say that the house must be renovated, in fact the house can be raised as long as part of one exterior wall and foundation is preserved. I have found that many of my clients could use this kind of loan.

Please go to this link to see the details of the loan. The loan distinquishes itself from conventional construction loans in that it requires just 3% down (most construction loans require 20% down), it's a single-closing, and I beleive there's a minimum 1-year commitment to occupy the property.

Please view Nick Mehl Architecture for designs in the austin area.

Pre-Fab Designs

I've been working on a thought for some time now and I would welcome any comments on the appeal of it. Is there some value in offering for sale a pre-packaged design for a house - designed by an architect - so that one can avoid the need to hire an architect and work through months of design, choosing finishes and fixtures, answering questions and having meetings? Similar to how one purchases a commodity such as a car or a phone, perhaps I could apply all that I know about green building and design to work out a compact, well thought-out, energy efficient home that has a few options but would be otherwise be a completely designed house, ready for construction. I think the first house would fit on a very tight footprint, be mostly vertical and have the latest technological home advancements. My inspiration comes from the Mini Cooper or iPhone, well-crafted machines (with some flaws) that are not cheap but are sexy and attractive and clearly superior in design to what has preceded them.

Please continue visiting my website over the next couple of months to see how this thought about pre-fab homes developes.

NMA's first Kennel project!

I may be a little biased but this is the nicest kennel for dogs and cats (and people) I have ever seen. Really, the owner wanted the kennel to be similar to a house as she plans on spending a good deal of time in the kennel helping her rescued pets get used to a peaceful domestic life. More images to come...

Please visit my website for more residential modern architecture.