Filed under: arts, Austin, design, go green, lifestyle | Tags: austin tx condos, Cobra Studios, East Austin housing, east side studio tour, linkedin, mallet de varga architecture, new housing projects in austin
Two weeks ago I began a series of posts about the South 5th, SOL Austin & Cobra Studios projects, which represent a wide cross section of innovative housing options in the Austin area. I had the opportunity to visit each project this month. Below are some of my notes & observations on the Cobra Studios project – please chime in if you have other thoughts you’d like to share!
Cobra Studios
The overview: Designed by Mallet de Varga Architecture (who also designed the Perdenales Lofts project on E. 6th Street). The project site is located 3 miles east of downtown and just a stone’s throw from SOL Austin, which was profiled in Part II of this series. Four buildings host 24 individual one-story live/work units which wrap around an interior courtyard space. Units come in 3 sizes, aptly named Small (840 s.f.), Medium (1,000 s.f.). and Large (1,160 s.f.). Prices start at $129,900 and go up to $179,600.
Green Stats: A committment to green shows in this project from the moment you step onto the site. Pervious concrete sidewalks criss cross the site and wrap through the interior courtyard space. Large rainwater collection cisterns flank the buildings & provide irrigation water for the landscape. Interior details like sun tunnels for daylighting, dual flush toilets, and Energy Star appliances are all featured.
Goober on the Street (Moi) Review: Being less than a mile from the East Austin Studio Tour headquarters makes this an attractive housing + studio option for artists of all mediums. For one, it is affordable. But more importantly, the open floorplan and garage door windows on both ends of the units makes the space open & convenient for the making and showing of art of all shapes and sizes. I could even envision the living areas of these spaces functioning as a make-shift gallery space for the artists who live there. I’m eager to see if any of the units turn up on this year’s E.A.S.T. map.
The design is simple, yet functional and beautiful with it’s industrial flair. If I were a potential buyer, my main worry would be how to address the living space to maintain some privacy – is there a good way to window dress a garage door?
Summary: A unique and affordable solution for those looking for creative live/work environments.
More photos of this project can be found here.
