The 2002 completion of 1400sq.ft.Live/Work Studio Rental 2120 Fordham Ln. Austin Tx was originally conceived in 1968 when my family bought the property and I found out about it’s unique SF3 zoning. It faces on the side street part of the property on the corner of Notre Dame and Fordam in the University Hills subdivision. It is South of Berkman exit off Hwy. 290 East. The main landmark is the Air Raid Siren and it marks the front door of the new addition. It will soon be marked as a historical marker. I made the photo newspaper cover of the Austin American Statesman, Life & Arts section of the paper with the article title of “The Last Siren”. It turned out that there was another siren one in SOCO. The rest were all removed in the 1980’s.

The building is extremely natural material “Green” construction with only small windows on the south and west side and large 8” high windows on the north and east that open for cross ventilation. The neighborhood blending front of the new edition has brick on the lower right matching the main house and cedar shingles on the lower left matching neighbors. This blending was a large consideration in designing the exterior. The upper story has concrete board (Hardy Board) that has a vented air space behind it like an adobe. The attic also has a ridge vent and eve vent. Both and a metal roof will keep an airflow going to reduce energy for cooling. The building is also constructed to prevent mold.

Black waxed steel holds up the mezzanine. Large “Pella” windows face north out to common lawn and East to small privet garden patio. Downstairs is a 20’ X40’ room with a Gourmet Kitchen area with DW, GD and appliances. Upstairs hall, and 13’X13’ bedroom 6’X7’ dressing area large closet and bath as well as10’X10’ office. Small windows at top of stair and in East wall project light beam sundial through space. Stairway also defines entry hall for front door. Fully hard wire networked with Cat5 and coax.

The unique screen, fiberglass and bamboo panels that teasingly semi divides off the mezzanine small spaces bedroom and office were designed by the Texas conceptual artist/architect Dwayne Bohuslave. Most every other detail was selected/designed and executed by me and many things were found at Habitat for Humanity architectural recycling.

I have been very creative with the use of this concrete board for the siding and have fusion blended with the neighborhood from the 1960s natural raw materials used on the main house.

If you are interested in renting 2120 Fordham please contact Michael Cummins at michael.cummins@comcast.net or ph 415-509-1913.