PeopleFund’s Austin Headquarters Serves the Community and the Environment

Texas-based non-profit <a href="http://peoplefund.org/" target="_blank">PeopleFund</a> recently outgrew its old offices, so they moved to a new sustainably designed modern office near a light rail stop in East Austin. PeopleFund's new headquarters embraces a raw industrial aesthetic that showcases <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/green-materials">eco-friendly materials</a>, and it is the first of three non-profit offices to be built next to the MLK, Jr. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/big-proposes-loop-city-light-rail-line-to-revitalize-copenhagen-suburbs/">Light Rail Station</a>. Designed by <a href="http://www.thelawrencegroup.com/" target="_blank">Lawrence Group</a>, the offices are awaiting LEED Gold certification and they will help the organization offer financial services to underserved communities.

PeopleFund's new headquarters provides them with permanent facilities in which to provide education, training, loan services, and affordable home ownership counseling and purchase opportunities.

The 10,000 sq ft, two-story building contains training and conference rooms plus permanent office space for both PeopleFund and PeopleTrust.

Located very close the MLK, Jr metro stop on the Capital MetroRail Red Line, the offices will soon be joined by other <a href="http://inhabitat.com/david-brower-center-is-a-green-built-non-profit-community-hub/">non-profit offices</a>, mixed-use and retail spaces, and an <a href="http://inhabitat.com/affordable-artist-housing-helps-revitialize-ca-town/">affordable housing development</a>.

The project achieves energy efficiency through passive solar design and a high-performance envelope.

Eco-friendly, durable and low-maintenance materials like <a href="http://inhabitat.com/clean-green-kirei/">kirei board</a>, stucco, and hardi-board are integrated throughout the project.

East and west walls are built with concrete masonry unit cavity walls to reduce thermal bridging.

Lawrence Group and PeopleFund are eagerly anticipating the project's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/leed">LEED Gold certification</a>.

Detail of interior views of the offices.

A large butterfly roof provides solar shading on the south facade.

The second story hangs over the entrance on the south side, providing shade to the interior.

Site plan of PeopleFund building and proximity to light rail station.

First floor plan.

Second floor plan.