/04 — JOURNAL
Architecture, the Austin market, and how we actually work.

Design Notes
Why Cantilevers Cost What They Cost
The dramatic overhang you saw on Zilker Overlook isn't a design flourish. It's a structural engineering line item, and it's worth knowing what you're paying for.
Sam Reyes

Design Notes
What "Architect-Designed" Actually Means
The phrase shows up on half the listings in this city. Most of the time it means a builder bought a stock plan. Here's how to tell the difference.
Sam Reyes

Market
Austin's New Construction Market, Q3 2026
Inventory is up in East Austin, pre-sale velocity is slowing outside the urban core, and one neighborhood is quietly outperforming everything else.
Dana Okafor

Process
The Walkthrough We Do Before You Do
Before a listing goes live, someone from Formwork spends two hours in the house with a moisture meter and a flashlight. Here's what we're actually looking for.
Mike Trujillo

Design Notes
Passive House, Explained for Buyers
Certified Passive House construction is showing up more often in Austin listings. It's not a brand of window. Here's what the certification actually requires.
Sam Reyes