During our quest to decide on what kind of new church home we would like, members of the Building Committee have spoken with various architects and builders. We have also considered many different styles of building and construction methods. Here are some photos and notes from six of the places we have looked at on our various travels. Most of the photos and commentary come from Joe and Jan Nesheim. The collections of small photos you can click on come from Sue Ann Kendall.

Contents

Riverbend Church * Aronow-Obregon Residence * Church of Conscious Harmony * Church of the Hills * Sanders Home * St. Paul's Catholic Church * Sunset Canyon Pottery * Waid Home

Riverbend Church

	This structure was designed by L.M. Holder, AIA, Austin, TX. The main purpose of the buildind is to unite several small religious education classroom buildings.
The structure also provides a gathering place for conversation and could provide an outdoor place for small groups to have open air programs.
	There are several levels which could provide separation of different groups that might use the space.
Gardens add to the overall design.

Contents * Riverbend Church * Aronow-Obregon Residence * Contents * Church of Conscious Harmony * Church of the Hills * Sanders Home * St. Paul's Catholic Church * Sunset Canyon Pottery * Waid Home

Aronow-Obregon Residence

	Benjamin C. Obregon, AID, designed this two-stopry home with recycled posts and beams. it has thick straw bale walls, which have a high energy rating. The home was sites to take advantage of the prevailing breezes. Oak trees were saved, and cedars used for porches, fencing and mulch. Rainwater collectors on the roof and a storage tank on the premises allow for the owners to be self sufficient regarding all their water needs.
The kitchen-dining area has stained and scored concrete floors. The hoome was planned so that some rooms can be enlarged at a later date.

Contents * Riverbend Church * Aronow-Obregon Residence * Contents * Church of Conscious Harmony * Church of the Hills * Sanders Home * St. Paul's Catholic Church * Sunset Canyon Pottery * Waid Home

Church of Conscious Harmony on Bee Cave Road

	The sanctuary of the Church of  Conscious Harmony looks circular  from a distance and is built using straw  bale walls. The office and classroom spaces are rectangular and are built conventionally.
A courtyard in the center of the  facility includes covered walkways,  garden space, a rock bed for a stream for drainage, and a large covered  social area with picnic tables. Large  movable walls can protect the space  from strong winds when necessary.

 

Contents * Riverbend Church * Aronow-Obregon Residence * Contents * Church of Conscious Harmony * Church of the Hills * Sanders Home * St. Paul's Catholic Church * Sunset Canyon Pottery * Waid Home

Church of the Hills, 3502 Hatch Road

I can't find this picture--sorry	When the Live Oak U.U. Building Committee began looking at buildings and talking with architects, we were under the impression that a metal building would be the most inexpensive option available.
Two lots south of the proposed LOUU building site on Hatch Rd. is the Church of the Hills. It was built of metal and rock, and will seat 1000 adults. One possibility for Live Oak Church would be to build a large rectangular building which would include a sanctuary, religious education rooms and an office..

 

Contents * Riverbend Church * Aronow-Obregon Residence * Contents * Church of Conscious Harmony * Church of the Hills * Sanders Home * St. Paul's Catholic Church * Sunset Canyon Pottery * Waid Home

Sanders Residence in Buda, Texas

Gayle Borst, a registered Texas architect, specializes in designs using "green building" materials and methods. She designed the Sanders home using Faswall blocks made of concrete and recycled wood chips. The exterior surfaces of the blocks are coated with stucco. Borst also helped the Sanders site their home for passive heating and cooling.

Inside the Sanders home, high operable windows provide good ventilation and daylighting. Indoor air quality is enhanced by use of scored concrete floors instead of carpets.  Non-outgassing paints, stains and wood products were used to avoid formaldehyde and volatile organic compound fumes.

Photos of this House

Click on any thumbnail to see the picture full sized.

View of the high windows that draw warm air out	Bedroom, showing concrete floors, wooden ceilings and milk pain on walls.	Another bedroom. Note the woodwork.	bathroom with dark stained concrete floors.	Living room looking toward kitchen. Recycled beam across the room, recycled doors.
The beautiful ceiling	Exterior. The main house is on the left, and the garage is on the right.	Large overhangs keep the house cooler.	Porch on the south side keeps the house cool.

 

Contents * Riverbend Church * Aronow-Obregon Residence * Contents * Church of Conscious Harmony * Church of the Hills * Sanders Home * St. Paul's Catholic Church * Sunset Canyon Pottery * Waid Home

St. Paul's Catholic Church in South Austin

These photos also disappeared and the webmaster is looking for the original disk.	Some of our building committee members  had contacted the Rizzo Construction Co., which built St. Paul's Catholic Church in  South Austin..  The St. Paul's sanctuary/multipurpose room will seat 500 adults.
The doors on each side of the sanctuary  lead to religious education classrooms.   The day we visited, the  chairs had  been removed to facilitate cleaning   the floor.The secretary noted that the congregation was well pleased  with their facility and the builder.

 

Contents * Riverbend Church * Aronow-Obregon Residence * Contents * Church of Conscious Harmony * Church of the Hills * Sanders Home * St. Paul's Catholic Church * Sunset Canyon Pottery * Waid Home

Sunset Canyon Pottery Company East of Dripping Springs

	The building committee looked at Sunset  Canyon Pottery Co. on Hwy. 290 east of Dripping Springs as an example of a  building with straw bale walls. Water collection is done using roof  collectors. The collected water is  used for irrigation as well as for making pottery.
Wide overhangs protect the building  from  the heat of the sun on the west side. The building has a southwestern adobe look to it inside and out.
	Inside the pottery company, walls are thick and keep the building relatively cool during the summer. The owners are very pleased with their building.

 

Contents * Riverbend Church * Aronow-Obregon Residence * Contents * Church of Conscious Harmony * Church of the Hills * Sanders Home * St. Paul's Catholic Church * Sunset Canyon Pottery * Waid Home

Waid Residence Near Wimberley,Texas

	Gayle Borst, a registered Texas  architect, who specializes in designs using "green building" materials and methods, designed  this home. The outer walls consist of straw bales covered with stucco made of lime and sand (instead of Portland cement which carries a heavy energy burden). Remilled wood and local stone were used to reduce transportation costs and environmental impact.
A cupola is used to promote  natural ventilation and lighting. All water needs are met by roof collection of rainwater with an on-site storage tank. Design and construction were arranged for minimum disturbance  of existing vegetation on the site
	Interior walls were made using plaster rather than gypsum board. Floors are either rammed earth  (sealed with linseed oil) or concrete  stained with vegetable based stains. High operable windows were chosen to promote natural ventilation.

More Photos of This Home

click on any thumbnail to see the photo full size.

Side of house. The master bath is the wooden part.	Front of house. The rocks are native to the area. The porch is made of ash juniper. Those will never give you allergies again!	The back of the house. Only one tree was cut down in construction.	The view from the back of the house. Ahh.	View from the front of the garage and cistern (rain water collection)
See how deep the window sills are in straw bale construction.	Kitchen and dining area.	Guest room. Note the smooth curved walls.	Living room with cool fireplace and windows that light the closets.	A view up the cupola. All the windows work by remote control. The light fixture is recycled.