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plumb.good.design.
After 19 years of work in Central Texas, Plumb Architecture LLC founder and president, C. Denise Shaw moved with her family to Chattanooga, Tennessee to open a new office there. Our Austin office is operating in a full virtual capacity for the time being. We are available for online consultations and A La Carte Services with a focus primarily in residential design.
** All product rep inquiries should be directed to the Chattanooga office. **
We are currently licensed in Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas. We hold a current certificate with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) which allows us to procure additional architectural licenses in additional states through a process called comity.
Architect (Tennessee 106778, Texas 20054, Georgia RA015910)
Registered Interior Designer (Texas 10973)
3310 W. Braker Lane #300-465 | Austin, Texas 78758
Meetings By Appointment Only
2020 was quite the year to shift to a full virtual office. But, in that year many folks became more comfortable with digital tools and online meeting formats because in person meetings were discouraged or not allowed. As a matter fact, a number of our past clients lived out of town so we’ve been utilizing online tools for years.
We work in 3D modeling programs that allow us to “share” our model with clients. They can walk through the house from the comforts of their own home. Cardboard viewers attach to cell phones to allow a true virtual reality experience. During our online meetings we have lively discussions on the development of the designs. We have found that working across these formats allows us to communicate designs better and to collaborate with our clients.
Currently accepting all residential project types. We tailor our scope of services to find a package that is affordable for you and your family.
To learn more about our services and design process, click below.
Though we are working remotely from Tennessee, we know Austin, Texas! Denise discovered Austin visiting in laws in the late 1990’s (back when a house in the Crestview neighborhood cost less than $80k!). She moved there a year after graduating from college. In the year 2000, Austin, Texas had a population around 675,000. In the 19 years of living and working in this city, it grew to near 1,000,000. That’s a lot of growth! Housing prices have skyrocketed. Traffic has exploded. There is work to be done to improve upon each of these things.
Architecture matters in these conversations. The architectural profession boils down to solving puzzles of varying scales and complexity. We are inherent problem solvers.
Density is critical for affordable housing. Density near transit corridors (allowing multi-modal and alternative transportation options) improves traffic congestion. Our land development code dates back to 1984 with very few allowances for housing density. Seeing as how we are still limping along with this same code, Plumb Architecture has worked on a number of creative solutions to add living spaces for family members, as well as rental income properties. This is our specialty!
For examples of our work, click below.
The local zoning codes govern how much square footage is allowed on a lot – both in impervious cover and in building area. Zoning also mandates how many families may live on the same parcel of land. We have a tree ordinance in which we must protect trees of a certain size and species. New homes must meet “visitability” requirements to allow for wheelchair access at the entrance and a main floor bathroom (as well as other requirements). AND we have a “McMansion Ordinance” which acts as a form-based code to limit the size of buildings within a specified distance of the property lines.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) offer potential additional rental income – either in the form of short-term vacation rentals or a typical rental – OR they allow multiple generations to live together on the same lot. The City of Austin has very specific requirements for what qualifies as a duplex property. Perhaps the most exciting development over the years has been the concept of “house hacking”. With our knowledge in the Austin Land Development Code, we can assist in finding a way to utilize your home to its highest potential as allowed by the City of Austin.
We are constantly developing new standardized floor plans for homes that can flow between single family and duplex utilization. We have a number of accessory dwelling units meant to comply with the City of Austin’s ADU requirements. Each lot is unique, and will therefore require some customization in order to account for existing buildings, trees, utility lines, impervious cover, etc. But the idea of the standardized floor plan is to give a design that can be explored at a minimal expense to the property owner.
Because of these long lists of regulations, you will need a professional to guide you through the process. Oh. And. The City requires an architect or Certified Building Designer on many types of additions and renovations. Let us help you!