ATX City Lifestyle recently sat down with Ellen Beaman, CEO of Austin-founded and Hispanic-owned CasaBella Architects, and Judy Roessner, president of Austin-founded and women-owned Sixthriver Architects, to discuss trends and what defines architecture in Texas’ capital. Beaman has a background in agriculture. Roessner is passionate about sustainable design and adaptive reuse. Here is an abbreviated, edited version of the conversation. For the full interview, visit our Instagram profile page.
ATX City Lifestyle: What's your favorite building of those you and your company designed in Austin?
Roessner: My favorite building is the one we just built downtown, 1300 East Fifth Street. It has these angled balconies and really tries to express its location on the rail line. The ground floor feels very activated with lots of glass and angled columns. It just embodies the Austin vibe.
Beaman: My favorite building that Casa Bella designed is the (Emma S. Barrientos) Mexican American Cultural Center. It’s beautiful and iconic, placed on a large green area. The outdoor spaces highlight the design features of the building itself.
ATX: Yes! That building, in the Rainey Street Historical District, is currently closed for expansion. And your favorite building in Austin that you didn’t design?
Roessner: I’m fond of the Sail building (on West Second Street), designed by César Pelli. It’s exciting that Austin has one of his buildings. The interesting thing about the Austin market is we have a lot of creative office spaces you wouldn’t see in other cities, especially like Dallas or Houston. It’s a more artsy community, and there’s a standard of flair in what we do.
Beaman: I love that. My favorite is the Texas State Capitol, (with its) intricate wood and stone details. Hand-crafted elements bring a different energy and aesthetic.
ATX: How important are green spaces and sustainability in Austin's architecture?
Beaman: Austin has always been at the forefront of sustainability. We have more green spaces than most major cities in North America. The city adopted LEED as a requirement for buildings, but now we’re seeing that we can go beyond that.
Roessner:Bill Reid, one of the founders of LEED, found that traditional sustainability had very little impact on the environment. He came up with regenerative design, which challenges us to think differently. Nature is infinite and constantly evolving. We need to think like nature to heal it, looking at higher potential for projects beyond just the building itself. There are many initiatives and community outreach opportunities if we think differently. You and I are looking at doing net-zero regenerative project together right now!
Beaman: Yes, and I'm very excited about that.
Roessner: When we talk about Austin architecture, it’s hard to define because it depends on the neighborhood and its history. Austin has such a rich history. For example, East Austin has a difficult history, but we can’t forget it. You may not know this about me, but one of my greatest loves is abandoned buildings. Some of my earliest childhood memories are trudging through old abandoned houses with my dad. That’s where my love of places that told a story comes from.
ATX: Can you share examples of your award-winning designs?
Roessner: One is Nix Patterson that won an IIDA award and Canva that won a best in construction award. One location has a full chef on staff and in-house happy hours. Companies are really going all out to create a culture of togetherness and collaboration.
ATX: What excites you about the future growth and development in Austin?
Roessner: I want more affordable housing for everyone. It’s still very expensive to live here. Architects and developers need to understand the different programs and avenues available to create housing for a wide range of people. Bringing back some older programs to speed up site development could help. While I love beautiful buildings, I also want people to feel great and healthy in their workspaces. We do a lot of that on our interior side, which is a passion of mine.
ATX: As women leaders in architecture, what motivates you?
Roessner: I have a huge passion for being a woman in architecture. There are so few women-owned firms, especially in Austin. We’re a women-run and women-owned firm, creating a role model for the future. It’s not about men being better or women being better, but about the balance and philosophy we bring. We focus on mentorship, creating a safe space where people feel valued. In school and my early years, it was very male-dominated, and nothing was good enough. This experience made me want to be a business owner sensitive to how we speak to people and build on their strengths. Seeing people flourish in our company is one of the most fulfilling experiences.
Beaman: I agree. Women bring a different perspective, valuing collaboration over competition. Partnership is the new leadership.
Name of Persons: Ellen Beaman and Judy Roessner
Name of Businesses: CasaBella Architects and Sixthriver Architects
Born from an unexpected bond, Judy and Ellen's friendship blossomed over shared ambitions amidst contrasting career paths—Ellen, initially rooted in agriculture, and Judy, a latecomer to architecture at 38. United by a fervor for empowering women, environmental stewardship, and social justice, they now merge their voices to shape Austin's skyline. Their collaborative efforts advocate for sustainable design that honors the city's heritage, fostering a harmonious blend of innovation and tradition. Their journey underscores the transformative power of unity in business, echoing through their joint stewardship of their respective family architecture firms. As torchbearers for progressive ideals, they champion inclusivity and community-centric values, forging a path where purpose meets passion, leaving an indelible mark on Austin's architectural landscape.
When we talk about Austin architecture, it’s hard to define because it depends on the neighborhood and its history. Austin has such a rich history.