Baker Sanctuary

Near net-zero custom home

Setting

Travis Audubon’s 715-acre Baker sanctuary near Leander, adjacent to the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve

Goals

A sustainable residence and barn for the nature sanctuary’s land steward and his family

Process

A collaboration between Travis Audubon and the design-build team of Solluna and Select Home Design, honoring shared values:

  • Respect for the land

  • A clean, simple aesthetic that suits the property’s location and history

  • Careful planning

  • A focus on design and construction for sustainability and longevity

Result

  • A warm and welcoming 1,747 square-foot family home with three bedrooms, office, two baths, wide front porch, and screened rear porch

  • Large maintenance barn

  • A 30,000-gallon rainwater collection system that provides all the home’s water needs

  • Energy efficient, sustainable home that’s near net zero

  • 7.97 kW grid-tied solar photovoltaic system

Awards

  • Cool House Tour

  • 5-star green rating from Austin Energy Green Building