If you haven’t been out to Mueller, the 700-acre city within a city located on the site of Austin’s former airport, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Mueller is taking shape and springing to life with all of the elements that were promised.

A diverse mixed-use community with housing prices ranging from $120,000 to one million plus, upon completion, Mueller will feature 4,600 single-family and multi-family homes. The master plan also includes 140 acres of parks and green space, a hike and bike trail, an elementary school, commuter rail station, and a retail center with a theater. The Dell Children’s Medical Center and the Austin Film Studios anchor the development. Mueller will also soon welcome the Austin Children’s Shelter campus and the Austin Children’s Museum. Forward looking and ultra-green, Mueller seemed the logical spot for the 2009 Parade of Homes.

In case you missed the 2009 Parade, held May 23 to June 7, we thought we would give you, our readers, an insider’s tour of these ultra-green, ultra-urban homes custom built and designed by a group of Austin’s most exclusive home builders, architects, and interior designers. With prices starting at $1 million, the homes ranged from 3,000 to 4,500 square feet and were the first in Central Texas to earn three energy efficiency ratings. Our tour includes the award winners and some editor’s picks. We highlight the features that make each house unique and impressive. We show you the latest trends in architecture, interior design and products that made the 2009 Parade of Homes innovative and inspiring, including: retractable walls and outdoor living rooms; an acoustically perfect media room; spa-like master baths; the most modern kitchens; a rare Concetto countertop created from semi-precious geodes; an in-home refueling station to fill the tank of your energy-efficient natural gas automobile; and waterfalls, meditation spots and open-air sunset balconies with killer downtown views.

Finally we went to the ultimate experts, the builders themselves, with the question: What was the vision for your home featured in the HBA Parade of Homes, and how did you achieve your intentions? Their answers will both surprise and enlighten you taking you inside the home building and design process for conception to completion.

4229 Camacho Street
Marshall Durrett, President
Durrett Interests, LLC

We set out to create a parade home that was both noticeably livable and extremely sustainable, not just a “flash in the pan” for the parade event. Quality of execution and durability of construction were very important in our project programming, providing our homeowner with a functioning building system for years to come. From the very beginning, with site selection, we insisted on a north-facing home site that would allow for the best quality day lighting from the large front windows of the home. Our home site also allowed for the inclusion of a three-kilowatt array of solar panels on the southeast roof plane, which has already offset our electricity usage by 25%. Not only did we achieve the same 5-star rating from Austin Energy Green Building as the other parade homes, but also ours was the only home to be rated for LEED Platinum. From an interior design perspective, the most rewarding feedback we received on our home from parade-goers was constantly and consistently that it “felt like home” or “was very comfortable” right when they walked across our front door threshold. We hope our home proved that contemporary design could still be very inviting, not just minimalist.

4225 Comacho
Alan Muskin, President
The Muskin Company

Our vision was to build a sustainable mid-century modern home that took advantage of our site overlooking 30 acre Lake Park. We accomplished this by using many natural and durable materials, such as polished concrete floors, limestone counters and Douglas-fir ceilings.

Our seamless corner windows frame a beautiful view of Lake Park. A 14′ retractable door opens the family room to our steel trellised yard, bringing the outdoors in. Features of our Northeast facing yard include native landscaping and an herb garden. Our efforts were recognized by the City of Austin’s Green Building Program 5-star rating and Gold Level LEED rating.

Our inspiration for the home in the Parade was to create a warm, inviting, fun atmosphere, that had a modern feel and included the latest technology. Along with Audio Video Designs, we decided to use the automated projection screen with the hidden HD Front Projection System to incorporate that technology into a space that could serve not only as a media room, but also as a multi-purpose space. By containing all of the components for the Media Room, the whole house audio system, and the televisions around the home in the component closet of the Media Room, we were able to eliminate unsightly boxes, cables, and wires typically associated with home theater and television systems. We also installed California Audio Technology in wall speakers in the Media Room, and covered the entire wall with acoustical fabric to complete the totally hidden appearance. By installing the Crestron Control Panels and utilizing the Crestron remote controls, the end user will have access to whatever sources they deem appropriate for their viewing and listening needs throughout the house, as well as the covered patio and the Garden Roof. The Crestron Control panels have the ability to control lighting, window treatments, and HVAC in the Media Room and throughout the home. The garden roof is the most unusual feature included in this home, and I think in the entire Parade of Homes. The inspiration was to utilize rooftop space to create a living, growing garden that would serve as get-away from everyday issues. It not only creates a place for the homeowner to garden in a subdivision that offers little space in the yards below, but also serves as a space to read a book, drink a glass of wine, or gaze at the stars. The rooftop garden eliminates heat transfer from the roof, and acts as an insulator for the garage located below.

4217 Camacho Street
Streetman Homes
Ryan Jackson,
Director of Sales and Marketing

We wanted to build a home that took advantage of the beautiful views available from this home site. That, coupled with the overall “Mueller Concept” of a walkable traditional neighborhood helped our decision to capture those views from outdoor living spaces. There are three outdoor living spaces on the front of the home, one large sitting porch on the first level, one large porch off the owners suite and flex room on the second floor, and a covered open air “Sunset” breezeway on the third floor. The Sunset room features 300-degree views of Mueller Lake Park, the Robert Mueller Airport former control tower and the downtown Austin skyline. In addition to the incredible outdoor living spaces already mentioned, we were able to include a living vegetable garden with a lime tree, tomato plant, and spices. In this space we were also able to include a full cooking island with GE Monogram Grill, sink and mini-fridge. If the views and outdoor cooking weren’t enough, how about bringing the outside in? Our family room combines with a courtyard via 16’ sliding doors. This courtyard features a waterfall cascading from one of two-second floor balconies. The home far exceeded our expectations in terms of design. The Parade of Homes Judges agreed awarding our home with Best Outdoor Living Space and Front Elevation.

4213 Comacho Street
Cool River Custom Homes
Glenn Reynolds, President

Our vision was to create an energy efficient Home that would accomplish 3 additional goals. The first goal was to make the home feel as inviting and warm as possible while providing a layout that was functional for everyday use. We then wanted to create a work at home space separate from the main house which will allow the homeowner to separate their work life from home life without having to commute. Last, but not least, we wanted to create a variety of indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces. The front porch has space to accommodate neighborhood street parties and features an outdoor fireplace and tv. An outdoor kitchen and alfresco dining area overlooking a courtyard and fountain off the back of the home. We added additional cedar roll up doors off the courtyard area leading into the garage to accommodate the need for extra covered space when entertaining. This area is good for setting up a pool table, table tennis or foosball. As a bonus we added a guest cottage above the garage which includes a kitchen, bathroom, closet, living area and stackable washer and dryer. With just under 3600 square feet of indoor living space, 1200 square feet of outdoor living space, a detached office, guest cottage, 2 indoor kitchens, an outdoor kitchen and incredible views of downtown from the Master bedroom and balcony, I think we achieved everything we set out to accomplish.

Make sure to check out our issue for a much more extensive photo collection of these awesome homes.