Norman Commons Wins ULI Austin Award for Best Project Innovation
Norman Commons, a deeply affordable multifamily community in East Austin, has received the 2026 Best Project Innovation award from ULI Austin. The annual program recognizes projects and people shaping the future of Greater Austin’s built environment through meaningful contributions to development, planning and community impact. Housing and Resources Designed Together Developed by Foundation Communities, Norman […]
Norman Commons Brings Deeply Affordable Multifamily Housing and Community Resources to East Austin
By Jon Salinas, AIA and Andrea Freiburger, AIA, TiD-Bronze Every decision at Norman Commons was shaped by the belief that a home can change the way a family moves through the world. Affordable Multifamily Housing Rooted in East Austin Located in East Austin near Norman Sims Elementary School, the 156-unit deeply affordable multifamily housing community […]
FGMA Advances in National Industry Rankings, Reflecting Continued Growth and Design Leadership
FGM Architects has earned higher positions on two of the architecture, engineering and construction industry's most respected national rankings. FGMA climbed to No. 67 on Architectural Record's 2026 Top 300 Architecture Firms list, rising from No. 76 in the previous year. The firm also advanced to No. 303 on Engineering News-Record's (ENR) 2026 Top 500 […]
Trauma-Informed Design Shapes Spaces that Heal, Empower and Support Community
When residents of Juniper Creek stepped into their new homes, they found a housing environment intentionally crafted to support well-being, dignity and connection. Central to this apartment complex is a design approach that reaches beyond aesthetics and function: Trauma-informed Design (TiD). The walk from home to the courtyard feels intuitive. Residents can see where they're […]
How City Planning, Zoning and Regulations Shape Successful Architecture Projects
Few topics carry as much long-term impact for a city as its approach to planning and regulation. For municipal leaders, understanding the regulatory process, infrastructure implications and public-engagement landscape isn’t optional — it’s essential to making growth work for communities. Susan Barr brings a unique perspective with her years inside the Development Services Department of […]
Creating Spaces for Neurodiverse Students
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2024 School Business Affairs magazine issue. Strategies for changing the school’s physical environment to benefit special-needs students Students have returned to the classroom after the pandemic, but the impact of COVID-19 on their learning is still evident. Students’ anxiety and depression are reported to be much higher than […]
Bailey’s Shelter and Supportive Housing is LEED Gold!
Bailey's Shelter and Supportive Housing was designed to support Fairfax County's goals of reducing energy and water consumption, as well as their carbon footprint, while providing a healthier facility for the building’s occupants. Completed in 2019, this innovative new facility provides emergency shelter beds, permanent supportive housing units, 24-hour staffing, including guidance and counselling, and […]