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Client: Skillpoint Alliance

Dive! Dive! Dive! As a child’s imagination enters the EE 42 submarine playhouse, they take control of a never ending journey. This design derives from the creativity and imagination in children’s thoughts of exploration and travel. The shape and form of the outside of the vessel invokes a grand exploration under the sea. Inside, instrumentation onboard alerts crew members of troubled waters, a working periscope is on the lookout and Torpedoes are at ready. There is even a quiet berth for slumber and dreams of journeys to come. Ping, Ping, Ping, I hear your journey beginning now.

Constructed of durable, weatherproof materials and bright colors to insprire creativity. Proceeds from the sale of this project benefit the Skillpoint Alliance Gateway Construction Tech Program. http://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/item/Item.action?id=159616791

Architect of Record: Susan Welker, AIA

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Project: Texas 911 Memorial Competition
Client: State of Texas

The State of Texas chose to construct a memorial at the Texas State Cemetery to reflect the tragedies of 9/11. The project’s objective was to incorporate two destroyed beams from the World Trade Center. Our submission chose to fabricate from the destroyed steel beams cutout silhouettes of the heroes; a fireman, a businessman, a mother, a child, and a policeman positioned near the edge of the abyss that represents ground zero.

Architect of Record: Susan Welker, AIA

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This design is every dog’s dream house. Constructed with over 400 removable used tennis balls, the dog can tug on the “zebra’s tail” and play with one or all of them. And why shouldn’t man’s best friend also get a sustainable home? The architect’s design allows for cooling southeastern breezes through “clerestory windows” and the tennis balls work as insulation in the north and western Polygal walls. The project is fabricated with recycled lumber, recycled vinyl tiles, insulated Polygal walls and a green garden roof, complete with catmint. Here kitty kitty. Proceeds from the sale of this project benefit local animal rescue organizations.

Architect of Record: Susan Welker, AIA

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“Not-so-big-house” was the initial goal for a new residence in an established East Austin neighborhood. The architect designed a theater “playhouse” for a stage manager by night, high tech worker by day. Within mature pecan trees on a narrow corner lot, the design maximizes the benefits of shade, prevailing winds, privacy, and energy conservation. Four Star City of Austin Green Building Rated project.

Architect of Record: Susan Welker, AIA
Photography: ©2011 Patrick Y. Wong / atelierwong.com

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If a project should be featured as green, it should be more than just a sum of its green parts. This Rollingwood, TX, project considered the existing conditions to be a priority, as well as maximizing space as an energy-efficient solution.

The existing kitchen/breakfast area had many of the common features found in a 1979 home that would showcase how simply and cost effectively a remodel could be redone. Some of these 1979 elements were old 7′ cabinetry with soffits (or fur downs as they are commonly called in Texas) above, 8′ popcorn ceilings and “egg crate” ceiling tiles with glaring fluorescents. Poor arrangement of appliances, a lack of a kitchen window and center island, the presence of a desk/bookshelf and insufficient storage round out the list of this room’s poor features.

The solution for this project, in 244 sq. ft., was to lift the cabinets to full height, not only to draw the eye up, but to add more cabinet storage. Also, a cove-lit ceiling, raised 12″ due to the existing HVAC directly above, expanded the kitchen height without costly reconstruction to the remainder of the kitchen ceiling. The appliances were redesigned; a built-in refrigerator was installed in the previous desk/bookshelf area; and the sink area was opened up to improve the space.

Functionally, the kitchen is now efficient. Aesthetically, it showcases modern features and glamour with the iridescent “wet pool wall.” This sustainable kitchen project went from “the kitchen next door” to one worthy of being featured in a magazine.

Architect of Record: Susan Welker, AIA
Photography: ©2009 Holly Williams Photography

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Project: Remodeling

A couple requested some updating for their 10 year old home in Spicewood, Texas. The kitchen didn’t function, the laundry room didn’t have enough storage, the living area needs more lighting and floors refinished. Additionally, the home office and guest bedroom required a hard surface for maintenance and the bathrooms required new tile. The architect’s design allowed for the redesigned Alder cabinetry, appliances, stone countertops and lighting to allow better work flow in the new kitchen area and into the living spaces. A large central island countertop encouraged informal dining and entertaining and provided work space areas for the creative cooks. Additional recessed energy efficient lighting, hardwood floors, new tiled bathrooms, painting and storage cabinets in the laundry area, including a laundry sink gave the home a modernization with a very warm casual feel.

Architect of Record: Susan Welker, AIA
Photography: ©2011 Patrick Y. Wong / atelierwong.com

Client Testimonial
“I can not thank you enough for the fabulous kitchen!!”
- Ms. Diane Dower

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A couple, soon to be empty nesters, chose a spectacular 5 acre site for their home in Spicewood Texas. Surrounded by mystical oak groves, an adjoining creek and wild turkeys, the architect situated the new residence on the site for maximum benefits of prevailing southeast winds, sun and shade, views and privacy without removing one of the over 75 large oaks on the site.

Architect of Record: Susan Welker, AIA
Photography: ©2008 Patrick Y. Wong / atelierwong.com

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Project: Various Renovations @ Austin ISD Schools
Client: Austin Independent School District, Construction Management

From the minimal to the more complicated, these renovations for The Austin Independent School District demonstrate our commitment to providing quality design value for every project. The Lucy Read Pre-K covered walkway project was designed in coordination with the manufacturer to bring this project well within budget. The Sims Elementary School Security fencing project demonstrated that security could be fun and educational. When LBJ High School was transformed into the LBJ Early College High School; we updated administration offices and classrooms for parents, students and faculty to provide these new services. The transformation of the LBJ School Store and the District’s first radio station at LBJ provided new opportunities for this transforming school. Other renovations at schools included; renovations to Harris Elementary, Norman Elementary, Wooten Elementary, Langford Elementary, Casis Elementary, Pecan Springs Elementary, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders and Fulmore Middle School.

Susan Welker, AIA, Project Architect/Registered Interior Designer

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Project: Corridor and Restroom Renovations @ Carruth Administration Center
Client: Austin Independent School District, Construction Management

The Austin Independent School District’s Carruth Administration Center undertook a sustainable update for the public areas of the district’s main headquarters. The areas of work included the corridors and restrooms outside the AISD School Board Members’ Chambers and corridors, public lobbies and restrooms in Building A, B and D. The renovation included the replacement of existing walls and wall covering, new flooring, wall protection for corridor walls, new lighting, countertops, updated equipment and replacement of plumbing fixtures.

The AISD District recycled over 7,000 sq. ft. of existing vinyl wall covering, base, flooring and ceiling tile, installed new wall covering comprised of recycled materials and wall protection and bio based floor tile. The final result represented the district commitment to an affordable, environmentally conscious renovation for the future of Austin.

Susan Welker, AIA, Project Architect/Interior Designer

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Project: Outdoor Classroom
Client: Red Elementary School PTO

A math/science magnet school commissioned the University of Houston’s Summer Graduate Design Build Studio to design and construct an outdoor classroom for science and physical education classes. The result was an inspiring sustainable structure that also taught the students science; with a perforated steel roof deck of the constellations, a rainwater runoff “funnel” demonstrating Bernoulli’s Principle and a koi pond that provided the daily biology lesson.

Engineer of Record: Walter P. Moore & Associates
Project Design Team Member: Susan Welker, AIA