Agave (Austin, TX)

[Shepard]

I'm interested to know what the prevailing opinions are about this modern cul-de-sac community going up in Austin...

A more candid look from streetview:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...=lgH4IDrut772Ka0yWN6t9w&cbp=12,157.14,,0,0.65

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...=uVRw3XPB2YAL0GJ-ztXugw&cbp=12,83.52,,0,-1.57

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...=QsQFDDJVTAQhzaf7PYs4WQ&cbp=12,333.15,,0,-4.9

At first glance it strikes me as Java-Island-Meets-Cattle-Ranch... but is it actually just a tacky parody?

With America's obsession with traditional-style homes, contemporary architecture often seems to come at a premium (in my experience at least, although I can't verify if this is generally true). Yet, these homes are priced in the 2-300s.

 

[briv]

I find the modest, minimalist architecture appealing, though I don't necessarily consider it great design. I don't like the development's layout, which is just your typical car-dependent subdivision in the middle of nowhere.

 

[bdurden]

I've always thought that contemporary architecture worked best on the domestic scale, particularly minimalism (I wouldn't consider Agave minimalism), and wondered why it never caught on among suburban middle class developments. Obviously we can draw a connect between traditional-style homes and the American dream, particularly with the rise of the new urbanism class over the last two decades.

 

[czsz]

They're still building cul-du-sacs? I don't care what the houses look like. Appalling.

 

[datadyne007]

Wow, they have renderings and PDF floor plans for every house. Some are more successful than others, but I am happy to see a suburban community without brick New Jersey McMansions everywhere.

That kind of cookie-cutter residential architecture (McMansions) sickens me. This is at least slightly refreshing.