Tips for New Students Landscape Architecture University of Texas at Austin
It’s The University of Texas at Austin but just call it “UT” [UTA is Arlington]. Our architecture school is UTSOA. Your rival is Texas A&M, or the Oklahoma Sooners if it’s football season. Football is life to most everyone within three states of here. Margaritas, BBQ sauce and lead holders are art forms. Go to every music festival at least once. There are three important geographical nuances to Sixth Street’s party scene. Barton Springs/Greenbelt/Hamilton Pool + El Chilito is a perfect Saturday. Join the architects’ happy hours. Cut cardboard on a bias. And, most importantly, NO baby’s breath for trees. Good luck y’all.
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welcome. program info School of Architecture info University info employment and funding studio tips Austin city info feeling good living well
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program info overview accreditation our faculty students’ suggested readings curriculum grades
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program overview
Program Intent Today’s urban environment is increasingly defined by shifting demographic, economic, and ecological systems whose overlap establishes dynamic environments and oftentimes reveals competing priorities. By recognizing that these shifts influence the structure of our public spaces, it is the intent of the Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin to frame these concerns as guiding factors in the design and construction of the urban landscape and the regional city. In this manner, those spaces by which the American landscape is defined– such as large scale infrastructure networks, agriculture, industrial sites, suburban communities, and city fabric– become the laboratories for the Program’s educational focus. The curriculum places an emphasis on design of the built environment, its social dimension, the quality of spatial and social experience, and ecological conscientiousness. Working in conjunction with allied design disciplines represented within The University– including Architecture, Urban Design, Community and Regional Planning, and Geography– the professional curriculum is framed by an orientation toward the urban landscape and the regional city, with emphasis placed on interdisciplinary endeavors that serve the needs of community, the state, and the society at large. Program Accreditation The Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture was awarded accreditation in January of 2007 by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board [LAAB]. Past and future graduates of the Master of Landscape Architecture, First Professional Degree are permitted to seek professional licensure from the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards [CLARB]. The accreditation process, which involves an independent assessment by the LAAB, ensures that the program of study leading to the Master of Landscape Architecture, First Professional Degree conforms to the profession’s rigorous educational standards. Accreditation is a significant milestone in the development of the Program, which admitted its first students in May of 2003. www.soa.utexas.edu/la/intro
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our faculty
core faculty Dean Almy Director, Graduate Program in Urban Design Director, Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture Associate Professor Mirka Beneš Graduate Advisor, Landscape Architecture Associate Professor Hope Hasbrouck Assistant Professor Allan Shearer Assistant Professor Jason Sowell Assistant Professor associated faculty Sarah Dooling Assistant Professor, Urban Ecology Chris Lalich Adjunct Professor Mark Simmons Lecturer Ecologist, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Steve Windhager Adjunct Assistant Professor Ecologist, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center administration Frederick R. Steiner Dean, School of Architecture Kevin Alter Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Kent Butler Associate Dean for Research and Operations Jeff Evelyn Assistant Dean for Administration David Heyman Chair, Graduate Studies Committee in Landscape Architecture Julie M. Hooper, CFRE Assistant Dean for Development Steven Moore Director, Graduate Program in Sustainable Design Larry Speck Minority Liaison Officer
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students’ suggested readings
landscape history: overviews and methods Auricoste, Isabelle, Petra Blaisse, and Marc Claramunt. 1996. Yves Brunier. Basel: Birkhäuser. Ackerman, James S. 1990. The Villa. Form and Ideology of Country Houses. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Benes, Mirka, and Dianne Harris. Eds. 2001. Villas and Gardens in Early Modern Italy and France. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Conan, Michel and John W. Kress. 2007. Botanical Progress, Horticultural Innovations and Cultural Changes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Cosgrove, Denis E. and Stephen Daniels. 1988. The Iconography of Landscape. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Groth, Paul, [ed.]. 1997. Understanding Ordinary Landscapes. New Haven-London: Yale University Press. Hunt, John Dixon. 1992. Garden History. Issues, Approaches, Methods. Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks. Jackson, John Brinckerhoff. 1984. Discovering the Vernacular Landscape. New Haven-London: Yale University Press. Lazzaro, Claudia. 1990. The Italian Renaissance Garden. New HavenLondon: Yale University Press. McHarg, Ian L. 1996. A Quest for Life. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Mitchell, William J.T. ed. 1994. Landscape and Power. Chicago: Chicago University Press. Newton, Norman. 1971. Design on the Land. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press/Belknap Press. Rogers, Betsy Barlow. 2001. Landscape Design: A Cultural and Architectural History. New York. Rybcynski, Witold. 1999. A Clearing in the Distance. New York: Scribner. Ruggles, D. Fairchild. 2008. Islamic Gardens and Landscapes. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Stilgoe, John R. 1982. Common Landscape of America: 1580 to 1845. New Haven: Yale University Press. Stilgoe, John R. 1988. Borderland: Origins of the American Suburb, 1820-1939. New Haven: Yale University Press.
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landscape history: modern and contemporary Beardsley, John. 1998. Earthworks and Beyond. Contemporary Art in the Landscape. New York: Abbeville Press. Jackson, J. B. 1970. The Selected Writings of J. B. Jackson [edited by Ervin H. Zube]. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press. Olin, Laurie. 1999. Across the Open Field. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Olmsted, Frederick Law. 1857. A Journey Through Texas or A Saddle-Trip Through the Southwestern Frontier. reprint: Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2004. Reed, Peter. 2005. Groundswell. Constructing the Contemporary Landscape. New York: Museum of Modern Art. Spirn, Anne W. 1984. The Granite Garden. New York: Basic Books. Walker, Peter and Melanie Simo. 1996. Invisible Gardens: The Search for Modernism in the American Landscape. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. landscape theory Allen, Stan. 1999. Points and Lines: Diagrams and Projects for the City. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. Almy, Dean. 2007. On Landscape Urbanism: Center 14. The Center for American Architecture and Design. Burns, Carol J. and Andrea Kahn. 2005. Site Matters: Design Concepts, Histories, and Strategies. New York: Routledge. Berrizbeitia, Anita and Linda Pollack. 2003. Inside/ Outside: Between Architecture and Landscape. Gloucester, MA: Rockport. Corner, James [ed.]. 1999. Recovering Landscape: Essays in Contemporary Landscape Theory. New York: Princeton Architecture Press. Cosgrove, Denis E.. 1998 2nd ed. (1st ed., 1984). Social Formation and Symbolic Landscape. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press. Czerniak, Julia and George Hargreaves. 2007. Large Parks. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. Hunt, John Dixon. 2000. Greater Perfection: The Practice of Garden Theory. London: Thames and Hudson. Koolhaas, Rem. 1994. Delirious New York. New York: The Monacelli Press. Kwinter, Sanford. 2008. Far From Equilibrium. New York: Actar.
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McHarg, Ian L. 1969. Design with Nature. Garden City, N.Y.: Natural History Press/Doubleday. McHarg, Ian L. and Fredrick Steiner, eds. 1998. To Heal the Earth: The Selected Writings of Ian L. McHarg. Washington, D.C.: Island Press. Sassen, Saskia. 2002. Global Networks Linked Cities. New York: Routledge. Shane, David Grahame. 2005. Recombinant Urbanism. West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Waldhiem, Charles. 2006. The Landscape Urbanism Reader. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. landscape ecology Spirn, Anne W. 1998. The Language of Landscape. New Haven: Yale University Press. Thompson, George and Frederick Steiner [eds.]. 1997. Ecological Design and Planning. New York: John Wiley & Co. landscape planning Olson, James D., Wenche E. Cramstad, and Richard T. T. Forman. 1997. Landscape Ecology Principles for Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning. Washington, D.C.: Island Press. landscape design Lynch, Kevin and Gary Hack. 1984. Site Planning [third edition]. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Steiner, Frederick R. 2000. The Living Landscape (second edition). New York: McGraw-Hill. Steinitz, Carl, Hector Arias, Scott Bassett, Michael Flaxman, Tomas Goode, Thomas Maddock III, David Mouat, Richard Peiser, and Allan Shearer. 2002. AlternativeFuturesforChanging Landscapes. Washington, D.C.: IslandPress. landscape details and materials Harris, Charles W. and Nicholas T. Dines. 1998. Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture [second edition]. New York: McGraw-Hill. Strom, Steven, Kurt Nathan, and Jake Woland. 2004. Site Engineering for Landscape Architects [fourth edition]. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. Zimmerman, Astrid. 2008. Constructing Landscape: Materials, Techniques, Building Elements. Boston: Birkhauser. Kirkwood, Niall. 2001. Manufactured Sites: Rethinking the Post-Industrial Landscape. New York: Spon Press.
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landscape construction Margolis, Liat and Alexander Robinson. 2007. Living Systems: Innovative Materials and Technologies for Landscape Architecture. Boston: Birkhauser. Mau, Bruce. 2004. Massive Change. New York: Phaidon.
landscape representation techniques Cantrell, Bradley and Wes Michaels. 2010. Digital Drawing for Landscape Architecture: Contemporary Techniques and Tools for Digital Representation in Site Design. New York: John Wiley & Co. Corner, James and Alex McLean. 1996. Taking Measures Across the American Landscape. New Haven: Yale University Press. Ervin, Stephen and Hope H. Hasbrouck. 2001. Landscape Modeling. New York: McGraw-Hill. Hanna, Karen. 2000. GIS for Landscape Architects. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press. Mathur, Anuradha and Dilip Da Cunha. 2001. Mississippi Floods: Designing a Shifting Landscape. New Haven: Yale University Press. Sullivan, Chip. 1997. Drawing the Landscape [second edition]. New York: John Wiley & Co. Tufte, Edward R. 1990. Envisioning Information. Cheshire: Graphics Press.
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Curriculum [first professional degree] Remember, this program of study is prescribed on the basis of the student’s previous college work; demonstrating an equivalent study in a required course area may waive degree requirements. When choosing classes, the program’s Graduate Advisor is very helpful. The curriculum allows a Free Elective and this can be taken pass/fail—a freebie if one wants to wander over to the MBA school or the Fine Arts building. Check out the whole of UT’s vast and rich graduate departments and take advantage of the opportunity to step outside the Architecture School. [as of 10.10.2008] Year 1 Pre-Semester LAR 380 Summer Atelier in Landscape Architecture / 3 credits 1st Term [Requires concurrent enrollment in LAR 385K, LAR 388K, and LAR 682] LAR 385K Technology Workshop I / 3 credits LAR 388K History and Theory of Landscape Architecture I / 3 credits LAR 682 Intro to Design and Visual Studies in Landscape Architecture I / 6 credits 2nd Term [Requires concurrent enrollment in LAR 385L, LAR 388L, and LAR 682T] LAR 385 Ecosystem Form and Function / 3 credits LAR 385L Technology Workshop II / 3 credits LAR 388L History and Theory of Landscape Architecture II / 3 credits LAR 682T Intro to Design and Visual Studies in Landscape Architecture II / 6 credits Year 2 3rd Term [Requires concurrent enrollment in LAR 385M and BIO 437] BIO 437 Native Plants / 4 credits LAR 385M- Advanced Seminar in Landscape Technology / 3 credits LAR 694T Landscape Architectural Design / 6 credits 4th Term LAR 695 Comprehensive Landscape Studio / 6 credits *LAR Free Elective or Distributional Elective / 3 credits *LAR Free Elective or Distributional Elective / 3 credits Year 3 5th Term LAR 696 Advanced Design Studio (Elective) / 6 credits *LAR Free Elective or Distributional Elective / 3 credits *LAR Free Elective or Distributional Elective / 3 credits 6th Term LAR 386 Professional Practice 3 credits LAR 696 Advanced Design Studio (Elective) / 6 credits *LAR Free Elective or Distributional Elective / 3 credits or LAR 697K Masters Design Study ** * Distributional Electives, specified every semester by the office of the Graduate Advisor, must be taken from three fields of study, indicated as follows: 3 credits in Natural Systems, 3 credits of History/Theory, 3 credits in Visual Communication, and 3 credits in any of the above. ** Students may elect to engage in an independent Master Design Study rather than enroll in the Advanced Design Studio, with approval from the office of the Graduate Advisor. Enrolling in the Master Design Study requires successful completion of the LAR 397 “Master Design Study - Preparation” in the fifth semester. LAR 397 replaces the free or distributional elective in the fifth semester.
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[post professional degree] [as of 07.05.2005] 1st Term LAR 690 Comprehensive Landscape Studio / 6 Units ARC 386M Post Professional Seminar / 3 Units *Approved Elective / 3 Units 2nd Term LAR 696 Advanced Design Studio (Elective) / 6 Units *Approved Elective / 3 Units *Approved Elective / 3 Units 3rd Term LAR 696 Advanced Design Studio (Elective) / 6 Units LAR 387 Master Design Study - Preparation / 3 Units *Approved Elective / 3 Units 4th Term LAR 694 Masters Design Study / 6 Units *Approved Elective / 3 Units *Approved Elective / 3 Units *Degree candidates, upon matriculation, will outline a course of study with the office of the Graduate Advisor that demonstrates a concentrated examination of advanced topics in relation to the practice of landscape architecture. Topics can vary but are not exclusive to Sustainable Design, Cultural and Historic Landscapes
grades
Letter grades are used to record the instructor’s evaluation of students’ performance in a course. To include a course in the Program of Work for a graduate degree, a graduate student must earn a grade of at least C.
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School of Architecture resources internet communities lectures and events publications student organizations educational programs machines libraries, centers, museums
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internet communities
Graduate Students belong to: • Graduate School: www.utexas.edu/ogs • School of Architecture: soa.utexas.edu • Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture: /soa.utexas.edu/la larch and archgradlistservs with UTSOA news Official Landscape Architecture Listserv: Program news, internships and good news is distributed via Rosemin Gopaul or graduate advisors. Rosemin updates the list each year to include currently enrolled students. [General mailing list info at http://www.utexas.edu/its/mailinglists/ index.html] “unofficial” student-run list serv A yahoo group to share information among students. Happy hours, parties, rooms for rent, supplies for sale, etc. To subscribe: send a blank email to ut_landarch-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. If you feel like you are being bombarded by too many emails, you can also opt to receive either or both (or any) listserv emails in a “digest” format that includes the day’s email in one single email sent at the end of the day.
UT Know Events Stay up to date on what’s happening at UT with the Office of Public Affairs’ e-publication. It’s no DailyCandy, but this daily email includes lectures,workshops,films,sportingevents,culturalawarenessactivities, and other special programming.
University Announcements and UT Austin’s @ Texas Newsletter University faculty, staff, and students automatically receive messages designatedas“Informational”,“Operational”,“Official”,or“Urgent”viathe University Group Email system. Change your subscription to either UT-wide listserv at https://utdirect.utexas.edu/utdirect/customization/mc_custom.WBX
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lectures and events lectures from visiting practitioners and theorists. 5 pm on certain weekdays throughout the year. Goldsmith auditorium on 3rd floor. Taking time to leave studio and attend at 5pm pays back in spades through the always rich discourse plus Q&A. SOA Lecture Series
rotating design exhibits by faculty, students, and visiting lecturers, 2nd floor of Goldsmith. Mebane Gallery
a planning and urban issues speaker series hosted by the Community and Regional Planning Student Organization (CRPSO) and the Community and Regional Planning Program (CRP). The bi-weekly speakers series is intended to broaden the curriculum in the CRP program by presenting the experiences, perspectives, and insights of scholars, community leaders, practicing planners, and policy makers who engage in timely issues. City Forum
Topics of discussion are relevant, contemporary issues ranging from the local and regional to international. City Forum provides a space for open, critical dialogue among faculty members, students, community members, planning practitioners, and policy-makers regarding crucial planningrelated issues in Austin and elsewhere. The speaker series is intended to encourage discussion of diversity, multiple publics, and social change. roughly every other Friday during the fall and spring semesters, the Center for American Architecture and Design hosts the Friday Lunch Forum Series. The aim of the series is for faculty and students to meet in an informal atmosphere to debate topics and to share ideas about history, practice, theory, and new directions for architecture. Boxed lunches for free. All Center Lunch Forums take place at 12:00pm (CST) in Battle Hall, Room 101 and via a free live webcast. Center Lunch Forum
http://soa.utexas.edu/caad/forums
publications is an annual student-run publication featuring graduate and undergraduate work at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture. Its intent is to foster interaction and the interchange of ideas among students as well as to record the intellectual activities of the SOA. ISSUE:
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student organizations
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
since its founding in 2005, the School’s chapter of ASLAS engages in the landscape discipline’s broad concerns of theory and practice and acts as a liaison between faculty and the greater community to foster communication and growth. Major activities include promotion of the academic program, fund raising, and increasing the awareness of the issues that concern the landscape architecture discipline. ASLAS organizes a yearly celebration of Frederick Law Olmsted’s birthday in late April as a release before the strenuous “final push” of the semester. Local practitioners are brought to speak and community outreach events are coordinated. Membership is open to students currently enrolled in the Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin. STUDENT CHAPTER [ASLAS]
a non-profit, member-supported organization devoted to advancing public understanding and appreciation of architecture, planning, and design. FOA achieves its mission by providing enriching educational and involvement opportunities through publications, tours, lectures, symposia, and exhibitions. FRIENDS OF ARCHITECTURE [FOA]
the student government body for the School of Architecture. APSC exists to provide a link between the student body and the faculty and administration of the School and also with UT administration and student government as a whole. APSC
the Graduate Student Council holds position in the School of Architecture faculty committees to govern student body concerns. In addition to committee work, the GSC creates dialogue between the disciplines of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, Historic Preservation, Community and Regional Planning, Sustainable Design and Urban Design. GRADUATE STUDENT COUNCIL (GSC)
///Flyers
are posted in SoA buildings regarding upcoming lectures and other events. The School of Architecture, located on the main campus’s western edge, is housed in all or part of four buildings: Goldsmith Hall, Sutton Hall, Battle Hall, and West Mall Building./// Key to Building Acronyms:
Battle Hall (BTL) Goldsmith Hall (GOL) Sutton Hall (SUT) West Mall Building (WMB)
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educational programs
Solar D
The Solar Decathlon is a project of the U.S. Department of Energy [DOE] in partnership with DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and private-sector sponsors The Home Depot and the American Institute of Architects. Collegiate teams are charged with the design, construction, and operation of a completely solar-powered home. The purpose of the competition is to promote solar energy as a viable, healthy, and costeffective alternative to traditional energy. Led by architecture faculty, an interdisciplinary team of engineering, architecture, and landscape architecture students engage in “hands-on” education, whereby the environmental effect of building systems are gauged. Landscape architecture students assist in the development and construction of green roof technologies, waste water collection and treatment, and exterior spaces. ULI Competition
Sponsored each year the by the Urban Land Institute, the Gerald D. Hines national urban design competition is open to graduate students in any discipline. The competition’s goal is to encourage cooperation and teamwork in projects that improve the built environment. The School of Architecture, funded annually by the Cogburn Foundation, has an in-house competition, whereby the Cogburn Family Foundation Architecture and Urbanism Prize recognizes UT School of Architecture competition participants. Maymester Abroad Program
Maymester Abroad courses are intensive four-week study abroad programs that take place following the spring semester at an international course location. Three to four credit hour courses are taught by UT faculty members, beginning after the spring exam period and concluding prior to the second summer session. All Maymester Abroad programs have a required component on campus during the spring semester to prepare students for the cultural and academic experience abroad. Center for Sustainable Development Portfolio Program
The Graduate Portfolio Program in Sustainability provides Master and doctoral students with a transdisciplinary framework to study and research issues related to sustainability. Sustainability is an emerging discourse that simultaneously addresses issues of economic development, environmental protection, and social equity. Portfolio programs are not degree programs; instead they provide an opportunity for graduate students to orient their studies to address a specific topic that overlaps several disciplines.
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Dallas Urban Laboratory
The Dallas Urban Laboratory’s mission is to contribute to the ongoing envisioning and research on Dallas’ future urban environment. As Dallas evolves over the next few decades, the role of the Urban Laboratory, through its research initiative, will be to contribute to the debate on shaping the growth of the city and the metropolis. Dallas is part of one of the fastest growing regional metropolises in North America, with a population expected to double over the next few decades. The resulting demand on resources will generate significant developmental pressure and increased demands upon the urban and environmental infrastructure of the city. An advanced studio. 5x5 Competition
An annual event led by MLA students. All UTSOA students are invited to submit designs for an installation in the unused 5’x5’ square concrete planters edging the Harry Ranson Center. Faculty judging winnows to 25 entrants who install their work.
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machines
SUT 1.102 45 Windows/ 13 Mac stations with architectural software programs. Printers available for bw and color, on laser printers and plotters. Scanners, digital equipment checkout, a light table, 3D printing, and helpful staff will also come in handy. Sells metal spiral binding and offers free use of the binding punch to create your portfolio by hand. computer lab
SUT 1.102 sign up for time in the Sutton computer lab. Minimal charge. 3 hours maximum per week. Available for laser paper, chipboard, cardboard, plexiglass, wood. laser cutter
SUT 1.102 a Z-Corp starch printer as well as a UV plastic printer. Sign-up in the computer lab. Can become pricey-- charge is dollars per hour. 3d printer
SUT 1.102 various 24” and 36” plotters for black and color. Mylar is carried by the lab and custom papers such as Strathmore or vellum can be inserted into plotters. plotters
GOL 1.100 CNC router with different bits; a variety of power tools; vacuum press; spray booth; metal cutter. Rent supplies for the day for free such as rulers, measuring tapes, etc. which are useful for site visits rather than buying your own. Spaces for project layout, assembly, and finishing models are helpful for when your work desk is buried under iterations. woodshop
SUT 1.102 a “black room” for model photography in the computer lab. Offers different lighting conditions to simulate sun, shade, and night lighting. heliodon
SUT 1.102 a tool for creating digital point models of handmade forms. laser measurer
SUT 1.104 film development equipment with two Beseler 35mm enlargers. seven Omega enlargers, 35 mm and 4x5 capability. RC and fiber print dryer. photo union darkroom
GOL 1.100 in the woodshop for spray paint etc. School rules state that all spray work be done outside or in spray booth to capture fumes. spray booth
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libraries, centers, museums
Library books are checked out for the semester to grad students. You can recall them from a book holder and students sometimes get into book recall wars with the more popular titles.12Books can be renewed online at www.catalog.lib.utexas.edu. Books from libraries across campus can be returned in group to any library and the system will return them to their original locations. As one of the largest universities in the United States and a leading research institution, UT offers a myriad of academic resources. Some you’ll likely use:
libraries BTL 200 512-495-4620 Over 100,000 volumes (17,000 in special collections) and 240 periodical subscriptions plus bound back issues. The color printers and the scanners are often less busy and more peaceful than the ones in the computer lab. Architecture Library
BTL 6 512-495-4621 By appointment only. Largest architectural repository in the Southwest, with papers, drawings, models, photographs, and ephemera. More than 190,000 architectural drawings, 35,100 photographs, and 875 linear feet of documents. Alexander Architectural Archive
Benson Latin American Collection
The Benson Latin American Collection is among the world’s preeminent repositories for books and other materials related to the history of Latin America and the Spanish-speaking regions of the United States. Engineering (McKinney) Library
This is a good spot should you need to know the ins and outs of landfills. Fine Arts Library
The Fine Arts Library collection houses about 300,000 books and musical scores and 900 current serial subscriptions. Among the library’s rich holdings are many works related to architecture and design. and Life Science Library Helpful for soils, plants, ecoregions, geomorphology, etc. Geology (Walter) Library
WMB 3.102 512-232-5969 Exclusive to the School of Architecture, and considered one of the finest graduate materials resource labs in the country. Some 12,000 building and design material samples are available for your perusal. The Lab and its website offer information on material composition, manufacturing, fabrication, and emerging material technologies. Materials Laboratory
Perry-Castañeda (Main) Library (PCL)
If all else fails, come here. Endless maps, government documents, more magazines, travel guides, liberal arts topics, and literature. 22
centers BTL 100 512-471-9890 Sponsors bi-monthly forums and lectures by visiting and departmental faculty. Hosts symposiums and exhibitions. Publishes books available to SOA affiliates at discounted prices. Center for American Architecture and Design
WMB 4.122 512-471-9890 Studies the built environment and the ideal of sustainability. Thermal Lab conducts cutting-edge energy research in a real scale space. Center for Sustainable Development
Charles W. Moore Center for the Study of Place
The Center is based in the Moore/Andersson Compound and houses the 4,000-volume Moore Architectural Library and the 2,500-volume Colin Rowe Library. The Charles W. Moore Center organizes symposia and field conferences as the central programs of its annual calendar. 21st and Guadalupe 512-471-8944 The Center’s collections contain some 30 million leaves of manuscripts, over one million rare books, five million photographs, and 100,000 works of art. In addition to theater arts and film, the HRC has important holdings of rare works on architecture, including Italian Renaissance treatises and other early printed books. The HRC’s collections also include the Norman Bel Geddes Archive, as well as an extensive array of journals on building and design. Harry Ransom Center (HRC)
4801 La Crosse Avenue 512-232-0100 Founded in 1982 and now an Organized Research Unit of UT, the Wildflower Center is a vast expanse of native plant displays and protected areas. While facilities host events and tourism year round, the Center also conducts valuable research on sustainable landscape practices including landscape restoration, fire ecology, green roof research, and development of Native Lawn turf grass. The Center cofounded with ASLA the Sustainable Sites Initiaitive to develop LEED guidelines for landscapes. Takes interns periodically. Visit in March for the famous bluebonnet fields and bring visitors. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
512-471-0143 SUT 3.128 Over 80,000 digital images. 35mm camera equipment and a self-serve slide scanning station. Images from the VRC are available for class presentations or studio precedents. Visual Resource Collection
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museums The Blanton Museum of Art www.blantonmuseum.org MLK at Con-
gress [200 East MLK] 512-471-5482 On campus with galleries of various rotating permanent works with special exhibitions. A nice, cool place on campus to retreat to or wander the landscape architecture designed by Peter Walker. CafĂŠ is near the architecture school and can be a place to eat lunch Tuesday to Friday 9-5 pm. GOL 2.105 Rotating exhibitions featuring work by UTSOA faculty, visiting lecturers, and student. Mebane Gallery
Texas Natural Science Center (Texas Memorial Museum)
Dusty, but some interesting stuff for a rainy-day studio break.
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UT info parking media calendar events how-to security and building access
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parking
Parking is a challenge. Free public spots in West Campus are available for the patient and early risers. Public metered spots close to the Architecture buildings are free on weekdays after 5:30pm and weekends. New parking meters take credit cards at other times. Parking spaces are available through campus Parking and Transportation Services, but permits are required and expensive, and assigned lots are a long trek away from UTSOA. And a word of warning: they tow often if you leave your car in the garage during football games. If you’re running late or carrying massive model supplies, the CoOp parking lot is a good option. It’s $8/day [and sometimes free, if you’re lucky]. http://www.utexas.edu/parking/parking/student/
performing arts
Texas Performing Arts presents an international season of music, theatre, dance, and conversation in multiple venues on campus, as well as the best in touring Broadway productions and concert attractions. Student tickets available and are a good deal. Check website. http://texasperformingarts.org/about
sports BCS Football. Powerhouse DI teams. Intramurals. Visit http://www. texassports.com/.
unsanctioned Critical Mass bike rallies through the streets of Austin one Friday each month. Free give-away days at Jamba Juice and Chipotle.
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media
Cactus Yearbook
The Cactus is the only pictorial record of the year at the University of 18by students, Texas at Austin. As a book written and produced entirely The Cactus, now entering its 111th year, has been known for excellence and consistently wins honors in state, regional and national contests. The Daily Texan
The Daily Texan, published since 1900, is the largest college publication in the nation. It has won more national, regional and state awards than any other college newspaper. The Daily Texan counts among its alumni winners of 10 Pulitzer Prizes. Its graduates are some of the most accomplished photographers, writers, editors, advertising executives and public relations practitioners in the media industry. KVRX 91.7 FM
KVRX 91.7 FM stands alone in the “Live Music Capital of the World” as the consummate source for indie and underrepresented music. The UT student-produced programming airs on the FM dial between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. during the week and between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. on weekends. KVRX streams live over the Internet 24/7 at KVRX.org. Texas Travesty
The Texas Travesty outrages a cult following of over 90,000 readers. The loud, lewd and utterly inappropriate Texas Travesty is published once in the summer and three times each spring and fall semester in print (distributing between 25,000 and 30,000 copies on campus and around Austin) and on the Web. Received The Austin Chronicle’s Best Local Publication award in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Texas Student TV
Texas Student Television (TSTV) is the nation’s only student-run, FCClicensed television station. TSTV’s over-the-air signal, channel nine, reaches homes in central and east Austin 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TSTV programming also airs weeknights from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Time Warner Cable channel 16, which provides service to 200,000 households. Dorm and broadcast viewers combined, 20,390 people watch TSTV.
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UT how-to course scheduling course schedule www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/schedules/ academic calendar www.utexas.edu/calendars/ ut direct [your schedule, secure school info and bill pay] https://utdirect.utexas.edu/utdirect/index.WBX bevobucks [pay for prints and on-campus food] www.utexas.edu/student/bevobucks/ grades registrar.utexas.edu/students/grades/
ID cards Issued at Flawn Educational Building. Go there to get new ones which cost about $10 each-- if you lose your original or if you don’t like your first photo. These are used most importantly for paying your printing charges in the computer lab but also are taken at Starbucks and Union restaurants as Bevobucks.
bevobucks The name for cash on your ID card. Refill through www.utexas.edu/ student/bevobucks or at the main tower building in person.
UT EID Your initials plus three numbers assigned upon admissions application submission. Used for all identification on campus and for logging into computers, course sites and UT databases.
blackboard tutorial blackboard tutorial--www.courses.utexas.edu/webapps/login/; the online portal accessed by your EID where professors post assignments, readings, syllabus, etc.
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network storage Access the following on the computer lab computers under “My Computer” and “servers”. As well, the computer lab help desk will set up online access for your personal computer so you can access the school server from home. a location on the server where you can store files temporarily. Erased every 24 hours so just short term storage here. Charles
where you have a storage place on the UT server by studio course. Erased at the end of the semester. “courses”
a little nook on UT’s systems to upload a few files. Every student gets 1GB of storage. www.utexas.edu/its/webspace/index.php webspace
computer help! a hugely helpful resource for computer fixes and assistance with installing softwares. In the Flawn Academic Center and staffed 8-6. IT Help Desk
sells Mac and PC’s as well as external harddrives, mouses, headphones, jumpdrives, and software. Get ‘em while you have the student discount. Flawn Academic Center www. campuscomputer.com 512.475.6550 M - F 8am - 6pm Campus Computer Store
find the office in the back which runs a computer helpdesk for the Architecture School. The help desk organizes on-demand free instructional classes on various programs such as Illustrator or Revit. If you have questions about a program, this is the place to go. Sutton Computer Lab
/ / / And - you knew this was coming - always back up your work / / /
security and building access The buildings of the SoA are keyed so check out a set at the beginning of every semester in the dean’s office on the first floor of Goldsmith; return the set at the end of the semester to avoid a penalty fine. Exterior doors to the buildings are kept unlocked until around 9 pm, after which all doors are locked for the night and you can access only with your keys. It is important not to prop open exterior doors at night--even for the quickest coffee run.
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employment and funding budgeting life in austin scholarships and awards financial aid campus employment career advising internships alumni portfolio help professional memberships
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budgeting life in austin
Room and Board UT offices project living expenses to range from $1250 to $1550 per month [at least $625 per month more for a spouse and $250 per month more for kids]. Books and Supplies After the hit from tuition, plan to spend several hundred dollars the first year for drafting supplies [or peruse the listserv and Craigslist] and the same during second year for software and model supplies. Printing costs at the computer lab are charged from BevoBucks on your ID card and will probably average about $100 per semester. And, of course, the required computer will be a major investment. Books are few but you may have a few readers to buy. Portfolios [for your second year review and prospective employers] cost around $20 per copy. ASLA student membership is $50 per year. Transportation Should be relatively low, with bikes, buses, and UT shuttles as free options for students. Coffee Realistically, probably going to add up to $150 a semester if your caffeine cravings kick in a few times per week. Be sure to keep your cups – refills are just $.60 at Starbucks and $1 at Medici. Miscellaneous Expenses Happy hour beers, Alamo Drafthouse premieres, late night studio dinners, and the rare American Apparel splurge may add up to $200 each semester. Cell phones, health insurance and car expenses will probably run you the same.
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scholarships and awards Graduate Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistant Appointments
A few are available for students in Landscape Architecture. Opportunities for these appointments are made known by faculty and administrators periodically. General Scholarships
Each year, the School of Architecture awards over $100,000 in scholarships to 50 - 100 students. Apply right after winter break. Independent Research Travel and Mebane Travel Funds
Propose a travel itinerary for academic study. Grants are given through the school and can provide a rich summer or spring break experience. Applications generally due in January, but can be considered on a caseby-case basis. School of Architecture Design Awards
The School of Architecture Excellence in Design Award is awarded each semester to the outstanding design project in each of the design disciplines for all levels of study.
scholarships outside UT ASLA, Texas Chapter Awards
In UT Austin’s first year of eligibility, students from the Landscape Architecture Program received all three Texas ASLA Student Design Competition awards. ASLA National Student Awards
Compete against top design schools in the world for honors in design, planning, and service. Due date is in mid-May and all studio projects from the past fall and spring semesters can be entered. Frederick Law Olmstead Scholar Award
A student nominated by faculty from the 2nd year class. Fulbright
U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching abroad. http://us.fulbrightonline.org/preparing_completingreferences.html Glenn Maloney Memorial Scholars
Any UT students who “improve the quality of student life for current andfuturestudents.”http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sald/spot_maloneyscholarship.php Jane Silverstein Ries Foundation Student Awards
Scholarships to students who demonstrate a passion for preserving, improving and enhancing public spaces through responsible and innovative land use and design. www.jsrfoundation.org Landscape Architecture Foundation
LAF offers over $39,000 in scholarships and fellowships each year for original research and internship experiences. Deadlines in February. 34
financial aid
The Office of Student Financial Services administers a variety of grants, scholarships, loans and part-time employment programs. Students are encouraged to initiate the application process several months prior to anticipated enrollment. Government loans are available through FAFSA, with an early spring deadline.
professional development
campus employment Students can apply for TA positions during the semester prior -- keep a look-out for deadlines and the process is helped by speaking with your professor of choice beforehand. TA
DA (Design Assistant) positions are unpaid and lined up at the begin-
ning of the semester through a campus-wide solicitation email. Being a DA involves meeting with an undergrad studio one to two days weekly where one teaches through desk crits and reviews. The experience is rewarding and provides grad students the chance to teach and to interact with younger architecture students. Different centers on campus offer part-time positions, such as the Materials Lab, Library, and various offices.
internships Summer internships are a part of one’s time in school. Check firms’ websites for deadlines of their internship programs which range from early January through the end of March. The Career Services Center is a terrific resource.
alumni network Grads are invited to UTSOA celebrations and local ASLA conferences. TexesExes is the UT-wide alum association.
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career advising
The School of Architecture maintains its own Career Services Center providing career development resources, information and instruction to students, graduates, and alumni. More than just connecting students and alumni with job openings, the aim of the Career Services Center is to teach and strengthen professional development skills that will serve throughout a career. A wide array of career services is available to students including online postings of current job/internship openings; annual career fairs; and workshops on résumé preparation, portfolio development, and job search strategies. Through the Career Services Center, students can tap into an important and constantly expanding nationwide network of professionals and employers. http://soa.utexas.edu/careerservices/intro
make an appointment with Carrie O’Malley in the Career Center on the first floor of Sutton for portfolio design and cover letter assistance. Professors are more than happy to look over portfolios by appointment. See list of printshops in Austin for locations of printing since a good print is sometimes the best design option of all. Scan your work as you progress through the semester and invest in good quality scans of final drawings. Models can be photographed in the Heliodon black room in the computer lab. portfolio help
ASLA membership
Joining ASLA as a student member is a simple online process and includesaone-yearsubscriptionto“LandscapeArchitecture”magazine. Whether you join for the magazine or to support the cause, being a member allows submission of studio projects to the national student award competitions. You cannot enter your work if you are not a member of ASLA. The ASLA Annual Meeting and Expo, held every September in a different city nationally, is worth attending with its interesting speakers. www.asla.org
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studio tips materials list materials sources computers websites we like
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materials The following equipment will need to be purchased at some point during your first year in studio, in addition to paper and modelling supplies. When buying supplies, students can either purchase a prepacked kit [though some warn against it] from the Co-Op or some students opt to cobble together their own supplies. •drawing board with vinyl drafting cover, 36”x48” [or hollow core door] •parallel bar attached to drawing board •drawing supply container [tackle box] •architectural scale [triangular, with 11 scales, 12” in length] •engineering scale [triangular, with 6 scales, 12” in length] •adjustable triangle, 10” or larger •30/ 60 triangle, 8” or larger •30/ 60 triangle, 4” or smaller •45 triangle, 8” or larger •metal straight edge [24” minimum, with cork or nonslip backing] •lead holder •leads [B, F, HB, H, 2H, 4H] •lead pointer •“ebony” brand soft drawing pencils •pencil sharpener, small hand held •utility knife, with retractable, snap off blades •“x-acto” knife with #11 blades •cutting surface, 18”x24” •scissors •circle template [2 1/2" to 1/32” recommended range] •erasers: “pink pearl” and “art gum” •erasing shield •drafting brush •drafting tape or tape dots •colored pencils [verathins] •glue: white [elmers or sobo], rubber cement •pushpins •sketchbook, 8.5”x11” or larger •yellow or white sketch grade tracing paper, 18” •roller ball pen •plastic tip pen, “pilot razor tip” and “pentel sign pen” •drafting lamp •tape measure Lower priority: •drawing compass, with technical pen point adapter •french curve •folder for drawings, 24”x36” minimum size [alternate: can be made out of corrugated cardboard] •technical pen set or Rotring pens [discuss with instructor prior to purchase] •ink eraser
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students pay it forward “I like the yellow box cutter brand rather than the black.” “Get a pencil sharpener with two holes, one large and one small so you can sharpen most diameters.” “Both white and butter trace work—people have their attachments” “Sobo glue is a miracle.” “A “chopper” cutter can cut through thicker wood lengths than an exacto and I like mine because it makes models easier to do at my desk rather than running to the woodshop.” “Derwent pencils --for landscape drawing-- rock. Total achievable blackness.” “Having a variety of templates such as the ellipse template is helpful in addition to the circle template.” “Get an acetone blender pen for transferring trees to paper.” “Experiment with various pens on acetate because some brands smear and bleed less and produce a finer line than others.” “I love my plastic mini triangle which is useful for lots of small drafting details and is easy to quickly manipulate. It comes in NEON plastic.” “IKEA has nice silver metal articulated lamps for your drafting table.” “I exchanged my stool for a softer padded chair to sit in and I think it saved my back through studio.” “Elect someone to bring the microwave and refrigerator.” “Moveable fixative spray mount for topo models.” “Scavenge Goldsmith trashcans for discarded large scraps of chipboard, museum board, cardboard,. . . and store at your desk for use throughout the semester for sketch models or even good models. Amazing things are trashed!” “Be careful about purchasing a used Mayline because a loose bearing or wire is a crooked pencil line down the road. You’ll need the Borco rubber, as well as a hollow core door cut in half.” / / / Always watch your stuff! Laptops, iPods, backup drives, and other studio necessities can disappear / / /
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materials sources [Internet sources: archsupplies.com, utrechtart.com, pearlpaint. com, dataprint.com] 2242 Guadalupe 512-476-7211x8240 conveniently right across Guadalupe from the school; keep your receipts and at the end of the semester you’ll turn them in for a 20% refund that is given back in a check the following October. Fair prices. You’ll find the wood and chipboard for models as well as x-actos etc. You’ll likely get your Borco drafting board rubber here, as well. For the drafting board, itself, consider Home Depot or Loews and ask the salespeople to cut a hollow core door in two which will be lighter than MDF. Two students can share one door exactly, although measure first to double check. M-F 8:30-7 / Sat 9:30-6 / Sun 11-5. UT Co-op
718 West 29th Street 512-474-6679 an Austin institution, family-owned. They carry different model wood--species and sizes--than the Co-op and has those incredible hardware store products like jointnuts that can fire the imagination for models. Also has a nice mini-nursery with potting soil and quality plants. Breed and Co.
On MLK 512-477-1762 an alternative to the Co-op with comparable prices and products. Asel
6010 N.IH 35 512-420-9359 www.jerrysartarama.com a huge place on the highway, a drive away, with some prices lower than the Co-op and interesting papers. Jerry’s Artorama
6th Street downtown 512-478-8793 www. millerblueprint.com they will scan your work and make CD’s— handy at the end of the semester. The quality is excellent. They also carry drafting supplies. Will bind portfolios and carry metal spiral binding. Miller Blueprint
2025 Guadalupe 512-478-3334 will print your portfolio with better print clarity than school. They do not offer metal spiral binding. Speedway Printing
2200 Guadalupe 512-473-8669 www.jennscopies. com printing resource across from the Architecture School. Good color resolution and binding. Jenn’s Copies
2901 Medical Arts St. Suite C; 327 Congress Ave. Suite 100 512-719-5300 www.fedexkinkos.com another option for portfolio printing with good color resolution and paper options. Kinko’s
9311 Metric Boulevard 512-836-3629 www. regal-plastics.com for the vacuum press and other models. Regal Plastics
8904 Research Boulevard 512-407-8787 www.woodcraft. com exotic woods and veneers for models. Woodcraft
658 Canion Street 512-453-6044 metals4u.com an industrial source for heavy duty metals. Cut steel, wire mesh, and copper pipes among the many options for true constructions. Westbrook Metals
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computers All UTSOA design students are required to have a laptop computer and AutoCAD, Adobe presentation, and rendering, modeling and other productivity software for use in design curricula. Hardware and software requirements are available at http://soa.utexas.edu/it/scp. The school may adjust financial aid for the estimated $4,000 cost incurred by its computer policy. Ask the Graduate Advisor. File management mental relaxation comes from storing working files in 3+ locations. External hardrives are recommended, as are free or lowcost internet sites like www.box.net. These internet storage sites are invaluable for group projects allowing group members to access and upload files from anywhere with no master USB to chase around. Files stay safe online. As one professor says, “The only person who hasn’t lost working files, is the one who will.” Multiple location file storage is key.
computer programs and how to best install them either download directly from the CAD website or download from the SOA computer lab server (ask at help desk); both are free for one year www.autodesk.com CAD student version
(Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign): purchase at the campus computer lab; student rate. Adobe Suite
purchase at the SOA computer help desk; student rate.
Rhino
Rhino V-Ray
purchase student version online www.rhino.com
download free student version online www.grasshopper3D.com Grasshopper
3D Max
download student version online
www.autodesk.com
download free student version online; Sketch-Up Pro is purchased online www.sketchup.google.com Sketch-Up
Maya Revit
download student version online www.autodesk.com download student version online www.autodesk.com
/ / / TIP: Many software programs offer a free limited time trial online download. These trial periods vary from 30 days to eight hours, etc., and if you cleverly match your download start-date with your studio project rendering needs, then the purchasing of software can be frugally postponed a bit longer / / /
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websites we like a few local firms
inspiration
bigredsun.com codesignaustin.com colemanandassoc.com elemckinney.com garciadesigninc.net lakeflato.com land-interactive.com markworddesign.com rviplanning.com teneyckla.com
bldgblog.blogspot.com designboom.com designspongeonline.com landezine.com landscapeandurbanism.blogspot.com pruned.blogspot.com topophilia.org worldlandscapearchitect.com yatzer.com
tools, tips, resources designers
acochran.com ahbe.com atelier-loidl.de baseland.fr dirtstudio.com ggnltd.com grossmax.com danikaravan.com levin-monsigny.com luetzow7.info mlagreen.com mvvainc.com ovsla.com pwpla.com strauma.com thomanek-duquesnoy.de tomleader.com topotek1.de vogt-la.ch west8.com wesup.de wrt.com
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cben.net cgtextures.com colourlovers.com land8lounge.com lviz.org mayang.com photoshopstar.com planandsection.com jstor.org artstor.org yousendit.com box.net plant info
ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen texastreeplanting.tamu.edu wildflower.org/explore
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Austin city info weather transportation housing neighborhoods community outreach nurseries bookstores museums and gardens
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weather
Totally unpredictable. Austin has a subtropical climate. May - Sept can be very hot with high temperatures over 90 and often close to 100 degrees. Winter temperatures vary with highs often near 60 degrees and lows in the 30s or 40s. Snow isn’t likely, but ice storms can come in from the north, usually in January. Spring brings thunderstorms, but really nice temperatures. April and October tend to be the best times to visit in terms of weather. Monthly Averages [2009-2010] MONTH
HIGH
LOW
PRECIPITATION
JANUARY
59°F
39°F
1.89in.
FEBRUARY
56°F
38°F
1.99in.
MARCH
71°F
47°F
2.14in.
APRIL
76°F
55°F
2.51in.
MAY
84°F
63°F
5.03in.
JUNE
88°F
68°F
3.81in.
JULY
92°F
70°F
1.97in.
AUGUST
93°F
70°F
2.31in.
SEPTEMBER
88°F
64°F
2.91in.
OCTOBER
78°F
59°F
3.97in.
NOVEMBER
72°F
51°F
2.68in.
DECEMBER
56°F
39°F
2.44in.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g30196-s208/Austin:Texas:Weather.And.When.To.Go.html
transportation You want to live where the bus goes. CapMetro is free for students [with your ID] and drops off right in front of Goldsmith. Busses run every 7-40 minutes, depending on your proximity to campus. There are several UTshuttle routes so before renting check to see if the route running past your place goes to the UTSoA side of campus. www.capmetro.org Austin-Bergstrom Airport flies domestic and international routes. You can park on- and off-site, or ride the free Airport Flyer bus. Supershuttle costs about $17 each way; a cab ride home is likely around $30. Trains are not the most dependable transportation around here. Amtrak will travel greater distances but has a reputation for tardy trains and cancelled trips. The new city commuter train line is in the works. Several car share programs are also popping up around town -- car2go or Austin CarShare. www.car2go.com/austin, www.austincarshare.org 47
Biking in Austin is a transportation option as the city has marked bike lanes on many streets and the hills around school are fairly gentle. Campus has bike racks outside the architecture buildings. Many student choose not to bring a car and maneuver well through bikes and busses. Rio Grande St., running from campus to downtown, is in the early construction phase of transforming to a bike-only “Bicycle Boulevard”. Bike shops abound in Austin: www.universitycyclery.com 2901 N Lamar Blvd 512-474-6696 the classic shop near campus, family owned for 33 years. University Cyclery
Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop www.mellowjohnnys.com
400 Nueces 512-473-0222 a hangout for racing bikers owned by Lance Armstrong. Organizes group rides, houses $1 shower facilities for bike commuters. Download city bike map off website. www.peddlarbike.com 5015 Duval Street 512-220-6766 voted best bike repair shop in Austin. The Peddlar
housing tips
Housing Price Ranges
• Studio/efficiencies run between $400-700. • 1 bedroom, I bath apartments run about $600-1100. • 2-1s and 2-2s run between $950-1700. • Multi-bedroom houses and condos usually run between $450-700 a bedroom. Tips for keeping the cost of housing down
• form a group of folks with similar interests in housing-- either through the graduate network (yahoo-listserv, which, if you haven’t joined by now, you definitely should) or by searching on different internet sites such as Craigslist. Consider the types of amenities you would like (try your best to find a place with a washer and dryer because you will most likely not have time to go to a Laundromat). • keep in mind the proximity of the house or apartment to campus (generally the closer you are the more expensive it gets). • remember to factor in the cost of utility bills, which can run between 50-175 dollars a month. Most efficiencies include the cost of utilities in the rent. How to start searching
• One of the best ways to start getting acquainted with the prices and the types of units available is to look at the apt/housing section on Craigslist. • Just coming down to Austin is really the only way to find a place and get acquainted with the different neighborhoods. 48
neighborhoods a quirky older neighborhood with charming spine street of shops and restaurants, hilly secluded streets of rented bungalows, and close proximity to the lake running trail. Biking-bussing distance yet fewer bus/shuttle routes here than other areas so a bit tricky. Mid-high price range. Also a very quiet neighborhood mostly made up of families and upper scale homes. Clarksville
gorgeous older neighborhood with shady streets lined with restored historic Arts and Crafts homes and interesting perennial gardens. Shops and restaurants including a raw food restaurant and Quacks, one of the best “old Austin” coffee shops. Many bus stops located and lots of apts. It is bordered by 48th Street to the north and 38th Street to the south, Guadalupe Street to the west and Duval Street to the east. Hyde Park
walking biking distance. Super quiet. Moderate price range. Where a group of judges use to live and now is occupied by many attorneys. Beautiful historic homes and other condo types. Scarce availability, but nice environment. Judges Hill
the new spot to live in Austin with high rises and low rise rentals. A growing walkable area with Lance Armstrong’s bike shop, east 6th St. clubs, and west 6th St. restaurants and bars. Right on the lake. Biking-bussing distance. Professional community. High price range. Loft apartments and upper scale condos. A great mix of commerce and culture with residents within walking distance of dining, entertainment, and retail. Downtown
the new urban renewal area traditionally seen as “across the highway” but now realized to actually be just blocks from UT. Great bars and restaurants and a laid back atmosphere. Can be less safe and rentals are shabbier. Biking-bussing distance. Low-mid price range. As always it’s best to find locations that are of closest proximity to campus. This commute has growing pockets of eclectic neighborhoods. East Austin
the general name for all neighborhoods south of the river. Fewer students live here due to a longer commute but feels very “new Austin” with hills, California transplants, and the fun and thriving South Congress area and south First restaurants. Neighborhoods include Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek. South Austin
charming neighborhood in the 20 blocks north of UT where professors have traditionally lived. Several older large homes on shady streets lease out their garage apts or have been subdivided for lucky renters. North Campus
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if proximity is your number one concern, then this undergrad neighborhood is your place. You can fall out of bed into the architecture studio and go home for lunch. But, be forewarned, this area is crawling with undergrads and you will hear the 4 am whoops of drunk sorority and fraternity parties. Mid-high price range. There are also many newly built apartment buildings in this area with all the amenities that you could want and a high price tag attached. West Campus
These are not all of the neighborhoods in Austin, but sum up most of the ones that students gravitate towards. One company offering apartments within restored older homes is www.barkleyhouses.com. / / / Descriptions of the different areas with many helpful photographs: http://www.statesman.com/classifieds/content/classifieds/ realestate/neighborhoods / / /
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community outreach www.greencornproject.org A well-run organization which builds organic vegetable gardens at homes, schools, and community centers in disadvantaged areas. Many volunteer opportunities at their one-day “Dig-ins”—online sign-up. Green Corn Project
www.helpinghandhome.org (512) 459-3353 Volunteer reading classic children’s books to orphaned kids, 8 pm to 9 pm, one hour a week. Application and one-day training. Helping Hand Home for Children
www.architectureforhumanity.com Various projects including hosted competitions and the “Design Fellow” program, where professionals and students volunteer skills for short periods of time. Architecture for Humanity
www.thetrailfoundation.org Targeting and executing civic infrastructure improvements along Lady Bird Lake. Various volunteer opportunities. The Trail Foundation
nurseries www.bartonspringsnursery.net 3601 Bee Cave Road 512-328-6655 A three and a half acre former horse farm which features lovingly arranged displays of plants for the Texas climate. The best place to find many varieties of drought tolerant roses. A lovely, shady place to walk and learn plant names and habits. Barton Springs Nursery
www.naturalgardeneraustin.com 8648 Old Bee Cave Road 512-288-6113 Although a real drive away from Austin, the road passes through beautiful scenery and arrival is rewarded by vistas as this nursery tumbles over the edge of a beautiful Hill Country slope. Various soils are stocked and can be delivered to your site, which is handy for anyone starting a vegetable garden. Natural Gardener
www.breedandco.com 718 W. 29th Street 512-474-6679 A small nursery section within family-owned Breed’s hardware store located near campus. A nice place for patio plants if you pine for something green to tend. Breed’s
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bookstores www.halfpricebook.com 2929 S. Lamar Blvd. 512-443-3138 revered stores selling used/discounted books with online search service. A good place to take unneeded books and sell them for cash. Half Price Books
Bookpeople
www.bookpeople.com 603 North Lamar Boulevard 512-472-5050 the largest bookstore in the country before Amazon started up. Carries a good selection of European design magazines such as Detail magazine and has a café and friendly staff. An Austin tradition.
museums and gardens www.ci.austin.tx.us/elisabetney 304 East 44th Street 512-458-2255 free! a mysterious, little known house museum in Hyde Park. This early 20th c. sculptor helped found UT’s Fine Arts Department. Elisabet Ney Museum
www.umlaufsculpture.org 605 Robert E. Lee Rd. 512-445-5582 the home and studio of nationally known sculptor, Charles Umlauf, who left his work to the city upon his death. Near the Zilker Park main entrance. Umlauf Sculpture Garden
www.amoa.org 823 Congress Avenue 512-495-9224 Austin’s art museum downtown. Austin Museum of Art
3809 West 35th St. Tours: 512-4959224x313 a 1916 Italianate villa and garden -- the original home of the Austin Museum of Art. Art classes offered in onsite studios. AMOA Laguna Gloria
Zilker Botanical Garden
www.zilkergarden.org 2222 Barton Springs Road 512-477-8672 a friendly, approachable 33-acre garden located within Zilker Park on Lady Bird Lake with nice walks among various plantings. The plant sale at the spring Zilker Garden Festival sells affordable and unusual plants. 3800 Mt. Bonnell Drive an overlook atop Austin’s highest intown “peak.” Beautiful views down to Lake Austin and downtown’s skyline after a climb up a long flight of stone steps through a shrub brush forest park. Good for visitors. Mt. Bonnell
www.lbjlibrary.org 2313 Red River Street 512-721-0200 exhibits and library archive. LBJ Presidential Library
/ / / For more: www.austinmuseums.org / / /
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feeling good UT health services getting outdoors exercise classes and activities
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UT health services
parking for students with disabilities
http://www.utexas.edu/parking/disability/ Assistive Technology
http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/assistive.php emergencies
http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/tty.php UT offers UHS student health insurance through United Healthcare with different plans; experiences have been mixed but definitely look into it. www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/insurance UT health insurance
UHS (University Health Services), appointments 8-5pm 512-471-4855; 24 hr. Nurse Line 512-475-6877, www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu health resources
UT offers free counseling to all enrolled students at the CMHC (Counseling and Mental Health Center). To make an appointment call 512-471-3515 from 8 am-4 pm, SSB 5th floor. counseling
A 24-Hour Telephone Counseling Line 512-471-CALL (2255). free each winter with UT ID. Look for email announcements from Health Services with time and place. flu shots
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outdoor adventures
camping and hiking spots Enchanted Rock Mc Kinney Falls State Park Windy Point Park-Lake Travis Inks Lake Pedernales Falls Bastrop State Parks Buescher State Parks Lost Pine Lost Maples Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Longhorn Cavern State Park McKinney Falls State Park (13 miles southeast) Monument Hill/Kreische Brewery Honey Creek State Natural Area
getaway destinations Bastrop [the only pine trees around] Gruene [great old dance hall] Fredericksburg [wine tasting and peach picking along the way] Johnson City San Antonio [Riverwalk] Dallas [new downtown development by starchitects] Waco [Dr. Pepper musuem] Houston South Padre [beach] Marfa [Donald Judd sculpture and crazy lights] New Orleans Big Bend El Paso
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excercise and activities
yoga
www.yogagroove.com bikram www.bydaustin.com yogayoga www.yogayoga.com ashtanga Bodhi Yoga www.bodhiyoga.com really excellent teachers Sunstone www.sunstoneyoga.com a straightforward assortment Yogagroove
Bikram Yoga Downtown
/ / / yoga in Republic Square Park downtown during summer months/ / / kayak/canoe Austin Kayak www.austinkayak.com rent a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard for an afternoon on Lady Bird Lake The Texas Rowing Center www.texasrowingcenter.com bowling
www.highlandlanes.com a real old-school alley. The Texas Union across the street from the Architecture School has 12 underground bowling lanes and sets up leagues for faculty and students. Glow in the dark bowling. Yes. Highland Lanes
for the more adventurous... tubing www.texasoutside.com www.riversportstubes.com roller derby TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls www.txrd.com boxing Richard Lord’s Boxing Gym www.lordsboxing.com hula hooping Hoop Circle www.hoopcircle.com pole dancing Brass Ovaries www.brassovariespoledancing.com scuba Scubaland Adventures www.scubaland.com get certified. ice skating/ice hockey Chaparal Ice www.chaparalice.com dance classes / pilates Ballet Austin www.balletaustin.com UT Union ballroom, salsa, etc. weekly free lessons. skydiving Texas Skydiving Center www.texasskydiving.com equestrian Little Buckaroo Ranch www.littlebuckarooranch.com Idylwood Stables www.idylwoodstables.com Skeeball at The HighBall www.thehighball.com; also offers bowling—by the owners of the Alamo Drafthouse. Or, join a league. Austin Rock Gym www.austinrockgym.com two indoor facilities and rock trips; UT Rec Center: sign up for climbing overnights and day trips. An indoor climbing wall. rock climbing
Austin Lonestar Practical Pistol Club www. alsppc.com; Central TX Concealed Handgun Class www.txconcealedhandgunclass.com; KR Training krtraining.com Pistol Shooting
Cloud Nine Living www.cloud9living.com go caving in Longhorn Caverns--one of the Austin area’s many limestone cave-and face your claustrophobia. spelunking
Want company? Join the Austin Sports and Social Club, www.austinssc.com, UT Intramural teams, or try www.meetup.com.
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running and walking Austin’s two major topographies are created by the Balcones Fault running along MoPac Highway. To the east is the Blackland Prairie’s gentle flat farmlands and to the west are breathtaking slopes up and down arid hills. Both running and biking are supported by vibrant communities here and it is easy to find many groups to join. Whether heading to the east or to the west, one can alternate between a wide variety of trails and roads to mix up routine. Also, exercise gyms and facilities for almost any type of sport are available throughout the city. Town Lake is the most popular running spot in Austin, but be sure to check out the Greenbelt and upper Shoal Creek if you want variety. The UT Rec Center has a nice 1/7-mile indoor track for inclement weather or late-night, post-studio workouts. Maps of other trails all over town are available at http://www.runtex.com/townlake.htm or mapmyrun.com. For all things running gear, groups, and upcoming races, visit one of three RunTex stores or runtex.com. Some noteworthy events include the downtown finish of the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon in February, costumed crowds at the Texas-sized Cap 10K in April, and the Capital of Texas Tri. Town Lake Running Distances BRIDGES
MoPac
Pfluger Ped.
South First
Congress
IH-35
Longhorn Dam
MoPac
-
3
4.5
5
7
10.3
Pfluger
3
-
1.5
2.1
4.7
7.4
South First
4.5
1.5
-
1.2
3.7
6.6
Congress
5
2.1
1.2
-
3.1
6.3
IH-35
7
4.7
3.7
3.1
-
3.8
Longhorn Dam
10.3
7.4
6.6
6.3
3.8
-
running groups Team in Training www.teamintraining.org a nonprofit organizing training for marathons and triathlons with money raised for leukemia. www.rogue.comg very popular group training for races organized by the east side Rogue running goods store. Rogue
www.tcdcfitness.com group training for women. Tough Cookies
512-472-3254 offers free group runs and also a training program. Their website has an extensive set of downloadable maps of intown running trails. RunTex Riverside
www.gilbertsgazelles.com group training for races Gazelle
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living well groceries farmers markets best of campus spots music and bars
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groceries
Alas, Trader Joe’s has yet to undertake a central expansion. your local staple. It’s busy every day, any time (24 hours), so drink some pre-shopping caffeine. Incredibly inexpensive cut flowers. HEB
a Mexican foods superstore. The freshest and cheapest fruits and vegetables, fun imports. Go on vacation here south of the border for a morning. Fiesta
Randalls
yep, same ‘ole Corporate America array.
an Austin original. Flagship store is a downtown mecca for the sleek uber fit crowd and starving students making a meal of vegan samples. Whole Foods
cousin to HEB, CM offers a Whole Foods-esque selection with a slightly more manageable experience. Grab a Topo Chico and some gelato, head out to the terrace, and enjoy a Sunday afternoon of live music and laughing children. Central Market
Wheatsville
Texas’ original coop.
Natural Grocer a few more blocks up Guadalupe, offers in selection what
it lacks in character.
a great local market, replete with hipster cashiers and organic essentials. Two locations: Tarrytown and Hyde Park. Fresh Plus
don’t dismiss the gas station/liquor store appearance; inside is a treasure box of organic foods, exotic chocolates, and of course, kombucha for your day. Hyde Park Market
farmers’ markets
www.austinfarmersmarket.org the well established weekly stands that set up downtown on Saturdays and at the Triangle on Wednesdays. Vendors sell fruits and vegetables plus local products: Texas honey, olive oil, soap, and chocolates, as well as, on-the-spot foods like tacos and pastries. Austin Farmers Market
www.boggycreekfarm.com a cherished farm 2.5 miles east of downtown that sells its seasonal produce onsite for a fun trip “to the country”. Boggy Creek Farm
CSA weekly veggie deliveries. . . lots.
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best of
Though locals or transplants, Yelpers or Chowhounds, may disagree, these are arguably the top picks for Austin’s favorite snacks. Pick a side.
mexican/tex mex
breakfast tacos
Indian
classic breakfast
Chuys Gueros Polvos
Swad Vegifood
Taco Deli Torchy’s Tacos El Chilito
Kerby Lane [pancakes] Counter
Korean
Chosun Galbee
vegan/vegetarian
Casa de Luz Mother’s Toy Joy [vegan frozen ‘yoghurt’] Mr. Natural
bbq
Salt Lick [classic] Rudys Ironworks Moonshine Stubbs Green Mesquite
comfort food
Franks Hoovers Threadgills Woodland
burger joints
PTerrys Fran’s or Dan’s
date/parents visiting
Z Tejas Asti Wink Fino Uchi Lamberts South Congress Cafe
bakery
Upper Crust Texas French Bread Co. Sweetish Hill
coffee shops
Medici, of course Quacks Mozarts [nice outdoor deck] Flightpath [quiet, big tables] Epoch [open 24hrs] Austin Java Progress Coffee
bars
Posse East Hole in the Wall Opal Divine [hula hoops.] Tiniest Belmont [a classy happy hour] Spiderhouse [classic one] Beauty Bar Shangri-La
margaritas
Trudys Baby Acapulco [‘Baby A’] purple Oasis [for the view only] La Condesa
dessert
Hey Cupcake soda bar at Nau’s Enfield Drugs Quacks Teo gelato 62
Campus Spots Close to Campus, Easily Walkable 2222B Guadalupe quality espresso and coffee. A UTSoA staple. Cafe Medici
500 West 29th Street cocktails, coffee, cuisine and culture, with nightly movies, live music, DJs and art events. Can we say, Redefines Christmas lights? Spiderhouse
406 West 17th Street over 40 local and national draft selections and 30 in bottles and cans. Fish n Chips, burgers, homemade falafel, veggie burgers. Dog and Duck
1004 West 24th Street good burgers. Fried pickles. Sweet potato fries. Drinks. All in an outdoor atmosphere. Cuatros
east side, bikeable 1100 E 6th Street show room for furniture, lighting, and decor. Interacting with art in a friendly social environment offering food, creative cocktails, wine, beer, coffee, and teas. East Side Show Room
www.elchilito.com 2219 Manor 512-382-3797 tacos for the gourmet masses. Amazing tacos along with frozen sangria and horchata at this low-key stand-in-line restaurant with picnic tables outside. El Chilito
www.progresscoffee.com 500 San Marcos Street 512-493-0963 coffee is fair trade, organic, shade-grown and custom roasted by hand in small batches. Local, organic food. Progress Coffee Shop
www.justines1937.com 4710 E 5th Street 512-385-2900 a French restaurant!! The kitchen serves food until 1:30am. Good drinks. Justine’s
www.scoot-inn.com 1308 East 4th Street built in 1871, the oldest continuously running beer joint in central Texas. Live Music. Scoot-Inn
www.redhousepizza.com 1917 Manor Road 512-3919500 1/2 price pizza from 5-7 pm (dine-in) every night of the week at this delicious East Side restaurant/bar with a chill patio and cozy indoor space for winter with booths. Very relaxing. Red House
www.riorita.net 1308 E 6th St. 512-524-0384 mild mannered coffee shop by day, swanky lounge by night. Rio Rita
www.drafthouse.com 1120 South Lamar, 2700 W. Anderson Lane, 320 E 6th Street serves drinks and dinners with a movie. Sing-a-longs and quote-alongs at the downtown location. Famous experience. Alamo Drafthouse
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little further but worth the trek www.astersethiopian.com 2804 N. IH-35 512-469-5966 a long-running restaurant with traditional injera bread and stewed meats and vegetables. Simple and good and served by the very hospitable Aster, herself. Aster’s Ethiopian
www.homeslicepizza.com 1415 South Congress Avenue 512-444-7437 the fabulous pizzeria on South Congress voted Best in Austin. Now a walk-up window makes it easy to get a slice, although ordering pizzas at a table and with fresh mozzarella is the most delicious. Closed Tuesday, a sad day. HomeSlice
www.hulahut.com 3825 Lake Austin Blvd 512-476-4852 a “central casting” Austin patio Tex-Mex boasting a unique large Polynesian deck bar floating over the water of Lake Austin. Early evening with its cool breezes and glinting reflections on the water is the time of day to go. Good for visitors. Hula Hut
www.dailyjuice.org 4500 Duval St, 2307 Lake Austin Blvd, and 1625 Barton Springs Road three locations offering very very fresh frothy juices. Try the fresh coconut water in a coconut. Daily Juice
www.pterrys.com for those who miss In ‘N Out drive through, this hamburger stand is the Austin security blanket for healthy-ish burgers, great shakes, and $.99 cookies. PTerrys
www.lustrepearlaustin.com 97 Rainey Street 512469-0400 a Victorian house turned bar with dancing and a large backyard with taco truck.Clive Bar down the block is run by the same owner and is also great and has more seating. Lustre Pearl
and, while you’re at it... www.supperunderground.com a unique Austin dining experience where a four course meal is served different places around the city during the year. Join the mailing list to be notified of upcoming dinners. supper underground
1312 East Cesar Chavez Ste B originating as an artist-run alternative gallery space, OKAY MOUNTAIN evolved into an artist collective when its founding members began creating art together outside of the gallery environs. Okay Mountain Art Space
just have popcorn for dinner. This privately-run campus movie theater used to be the main theater in Austin for a very long time and is lined with red velvet swags and staffed by film aficionados. Near the SoA. The Dobie
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Music
Austin’s well-deserved reputation for live music means that basically any night of the week, there are endless shows. Check The Austinist (www.theaustinist.com) and The Austin Chronicle for listings. Some of the best spots are open-air.
www.antones.net 213 W 5th Street 512-320-8424 35 years and going. Downtown. Simple black box space devoted to music. Standing only. Antones
www.stubbsaustin.com 801 Red River 512-480-8341 live music outdoors with BBQ. Famous Sunday “gospel brunch” at 11 am and 1 pm. Stubbs
www.clubdeville.com 900 Red River 512-457-0900 outdoor music area carved into a rock cliff with hipsters. Club de Ville
www.mohawkaustin.com 912 Red River next door to Club de Ville with some of the best indoor rooms in the city for winter and a multilevel deck for the summer. Hipsters. Mohawk
www.austintheater.org 713 Congress Ave. 512-4725470 an ornate 1915 theater downtown with tiered seating which makes any show intimate. Both live music and classic movies shown here. Paramount Theater
www.theshadygrove.com 1624 Barton Springs Road 512474-9991 Cowboy-themed open air restaurant with regular shows and “Unplugged at the Grove” every Thursday night in the summer. Shady Grove
www.themeaneyedcat.com 1621 West 5th St. 512-472MEAN bar and covered open air patio with picnic tables and Pendleton wool blankets for the winter. Live music on every night but Friday. Mean-Eyed Cat
www.utexas.edu/txunion/ae/cactus 512-475-6515 Since 1979 in the UT Union. Acoustic. Some shows are free. Cactus Cafe
www.brokenspokeaustintx.com 3201 South Lamar 512442-6189 Honky-tonk dance hall. Go here for cowboy two-steppin’. Anachronistic, genteel Old Texas manners rule here where men invite ladies to dance. Be ready to dance with 80 yr. old cowboys. Broken Spoke
www.holeinthewallaustin.com 2538 Guadalupe 512477-4747 35 years old this year. All shows no cover. Right by campus. Hole in the Wall
www.thelongcenter.org 701 West Riverside Drive Box Office: 512- 474-LONG Austin’s newish performing arts venue on Lady Bird Lake by TeamHAAS Architects with fantastic student rush rates one hour before showtime. If you desire to hear Spanish flamenco, attend an opera, or see a ballet, definitely take advantage of the low prices for a lovely night. Long Center for the Performing Arts
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www.continentalclub.com 1315 South Congress Avenue 512-441-2444 Since 1957. Continental Club
www.elephantroom.com 315 Congress Avenue 512-4732279 Nationally famous jazz stage. Elephant Room
www.thebackyard.net 13472 Bee Cave Parkway 512-2634146 out of town on Bee Caves Road, the Backyard is a newly built outdoor grass amphitheater that was the subject of a design competition in 2009 entered by UTSoA students. The Backyard
www.lazonarosa.com 612 W. 4th Street 512-236-0125 well-known pop chart shows plus smaller bands. Indoors. La Zona Rosa
www.donnsdepot.com The happy spot where you’ll see college students and 90 year olds dancing to the live country cover band and eating the free popcorn in a retired box car with Christmas lights. Donn’s Depot
www.emosaustin.com 603 Red River 512-505-8541 a smaller indoor/outdoor space with lots of fans. Austin institution of the 1990’s. Emo’s
music festivals Austin City Limits Music Festival [ACL] Austin Psych Fest Austin Reggae Festival Eeyore’s birthday Fun Fun Fun Fest Old Settler’s Music Festival South by Southwest [SXSW, or ‘south by’] Texas Rockabilly Revival
2010 Erika Huddleston, MLA class of ‘11, and Janice Nicol, MLA class of ‘10 Mirka Benes, Graduate Advisor [fonts are OCR A Std and DINOT]
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