| High-Rise Glamour for a Good Cause
Written by Tavaner Bushman
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View of the downtown Austin skyline with the newly completed Austonian (tallest building). The Women’s Symphony League of Austin presents its 26th WSL Designer Showhouse in Austin’s first ever downtown, high-rise showhouse.
The 2010 Women’s Symphony League Designer Showhouse is taking the showhouse tradition and Austin Symphony Orchestra fundraiser to a whole new level—literally. Located in downtown Austin’s brand-new residential high-rise building, The Austonian. The Showhouse actually consists of three separate condos on the 11th floor that have been transformed by three teams of local designers certified by either the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) or the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The Showhouse is the first ever located in downtown Austin and in a high-rise, representing new living choices as well as a trend toward urban living. “The Women’s Symphony League has taken advantage of the drift in this country of people moving into the city. The tallest building in Austin, The Austonian, agreed to be our gracious host. This is an event where the public can preview the newest trends by registered interior designers for living interior environments. Multiple condos have been designed for personal preferences. This is an opportunity to see how The Austonian lifestyle will coincide with Austinites,” says Marla Bommarito-Crouch, ASID, FIIDA, LEED AP, Chair of the Women’s Symphony Showhouse at The Austonian.
Design concept for a living/dining room presented by Bella Villa Design Studios. Stephanie Villavicencio, ASID, RID, lead designer with Jeanne Whittington, Allied Member ASID, RID of the ASID design team, stresses the significance of setting for this year’s Showhouse, “It is extremely important to show Austin design in the context of downtown living. Austin designers can integrate style, functionality, and living in a smaller space. It is important to use furnishings that are both proportional and multi-functional. Color is also key in creating an atmosphere that is inviting and warm but does not make the space seem smaller. The green features and sustainable materials used benefit both the residents and the city. We complemented the interiors of our unit with additional sustainable finishes.”
Design concept for one of the three master bedrooms presented by Gwen Klein Interior. In addition to its high-rise structure and downtown Austin location, this Showhouse is another first. “I am excited to be participating in this landmark Showhouse for the WSL. This is the first time that the International Interior Design Association has been invited to participate. We have some of the most talented designers Austin has to offer involved,” says Janna Paulson, RID, LEED AP, IIDA, lead designer for the IIDA team. The completed Showhouse trio of condos will be open to the public for tours Sat. and Sun., May 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 and ticket attendees will be able to view the condos as well as the 10th floor, which features a wine lounge, screening room, massage rooms, outdoor pool, terrace, and a relaxing roof garden. The Preview Party on Thur., May 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. will offer access to the conference rooms, fitness center located on the 56th floor offering 360-degree views of Austin, party rooms, hotels rooms, dog park, and The Austonian Club on the 55th floor in addition to the Showhouse residences and 10th floor. The Preview Party will include menu offerings from Truluck’s, Eddie V’s, Roaring Fork, Fleming’s, and Roy’s. Tickets to the Preview Party are $125 and dress is black tie optional. Located at Congress Ave. and Second St. in downtown Austin, The Austonian at 683 feet tall (56 stories) is the tallest residential building in the western United States. Minutes away from the State Capitol and within walking distance of over 100 restaurants and clubs, cultural attractions, and parks, as well as a growing number of retail options the development offers 178 luxury homes as well as 40,000 square-feet of amenities available to residents. Units range from 1,200 square-feet to just under 8,400 square-feet and in price from $586,000 to $8 million.
At 683 feet tall The Austonian has 56 stories. Developed by the Spanish Grupo Villar Mir, the masterminds behind the Mayakoba resort in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, the Austonian was designed by Ziegler Cooper Architects and is seeking a four-star rating from the City of Austin in its Green Building Rating System (equivalent to a LEED Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council). A high-performance insulated glass with minimum tinting was used to offer energy savings as well as unobstructed views of Austin (condo floorplans are shaped as an ellipse to maximize the unparalleled views). Other green features include a reflective roof, lighting sensors and dimming ballasts, and low- or no-VOC adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings. Providing luxurious living with a green tint, each unit has a wall-mounted touchscreen panel that control’s the condo’s climate, lighting, telephone, and security system. In addition, the panel provides one-stop communication with Austonian Personal Assistants who provide 24-hour concierge service. Need restaurant reservations, newspapers delivered, a delivery signed for? They will take care of it all. Founded in 1953, the Women’s Symphony League of Austin provides services and financial support for the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s programs. Proceeds from the 2010 WSL Designer Showhouse will benefit the ASO’s childrens music education programs. For more information visit wslaustin.org. TH&L IIDA Designers ASID Designers
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