A view of the office building at 901 East Sixth Street. Photo by James Rambin.
It would be pretty hilarious if someone put up a multi-million dollar building without ever thinking about what the weather might do to it, but that’s thankfully not the case for the five-story office project by Endeavor Real Estate Group at 901 East Sixth Street. No, this structure’s steel exterior, designed by a joint venture between architecture firms Delineate Studio and Thoughtbarn, is intended to rust — and that’s exactly what’s happening, even before construction’s finished.
A closer look at the weathering steel exterior panels at 901 East Sixth Street. Photo by James Rambin.
Looking east from the 901 East Sixth Street project.
Well, technically it’s not rust in the traditional “neglected structure falling into disrepair” sense. The metal used for the building’s outer panels is what’s known as Cor-Ten or weathering steel, a type of low-carbon steel alloy specifically designed to oxidize on its surface when exposed to the elements, creating a protective layer that actually protects the metal from further corrosion.
An exterior rendering of the 901 East Sixth Street project shows its weathering steel panels in the fully rusted state they will presumably reach within a few months. Image: Endeavor Real Estate Group
Like the cross-laminated timber used for much of the building’s interior, it’s a material that’s a lot more durable than its appearance might initially suggest — and as far as office buildings go, it’s certainly more interesting than stucco. You can find another striking example of weathering steel architecture at 1111 East 11th Street, a mixed-use office project designed and occupied by architects Bercy Chen Studio LP.
EDIT: My fabulously plugged-in readership reminded me of Austin’s most iconic weathering steel structure — the Pennybacker Bridge! How could I forget that one?
The Pennybacker Bridge over Lake Austin. Image: Geoff Sloan / Flickr
It already appears to be rusting quickly, but architect and Delineate Studio founder Bart Whatley says the steel’s exterior patina will reach its full maturity in about two years time, and that the building itself should be finished by the end of the year. Though the weathering process has only just begun, you’ll be able to watch its progress with this webcam of the project’s construction site — try to convince your friends it’s rusting by accident and we’ll see if we can’t start an urban legend:
East Austin Homes For Sale
-
$1,099,000
2606 E 14th Street #1
Austin, TX -
$1,150,000
2729 Lyons Road
Austin, TX -
$1,950,000
2107 Garden Street
Austin, TX -
$825,000
2102 New York Avenue
Austin, TX -
$695,000
2106 New York Avenue
Austin, TX -
$699,900
908 Brass Street #2
Austin, TX -
$1,498,000
1215 Maple Avenue
Austin, TX -
$820,000
68 Mildred Street
Austin, TX -
$1,919,900
2114 Haskell Street
Austin, TX -
$724,900
800 Embassy Drive #401
Austin, TX -
$710,000
1220 Taylor Street
Austin, TX -
$899,990
902 Willow Street #2
Austin, TX -
$1,299,900
902 Willow Street #1
Austin, TX -
$1,699,000
2008 E 17th Street
Austin, TX -
$490,000
3101 Govalle Avenue #303
Austin, TX -
$1,200,000
3201 & 3203 Govalle Avenue
Austin, TX -
$499,000
1803 Ulit Avenue
Austin, TX -
$309,000
2220 Webberville Road #225
Austin, TX -
$975,000
1308 Walnut Avenue
Austin, TX -
$925,000
1212 Poquito Street #1
Austin, TX -
$850,000
2509 E 5th Street
Austin, TX -
$650,000
2907 E 5th Street
Austin, TX -
$850,000
2909 E 5th Street
Austin, TX -
$699,000
1001 Walter Street #2
Austin, TX -
$899,000
1001 Walter Street #1
Austin, TX
-
$1,099,000Lot Size6,304 sqft
Home Size1,572 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths2 Baths
-
$1,150,000Lot Size6,273 sqft
Home Size1,872 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths3 Baths
-
$1,950,000Lot Size6,722 sqft
Home Size2,119 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths4 Baths
-
$825,000Lot Size7,972 sqft
Home Size1,616 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths2 Baths
-
$695,000Lot Size7,963 sqft
Home Size1,092 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths2 Baths
-
$699,900Lot Size3,594 sqft
Home Size1,029 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths3 Baths
-
$1,498,000Lot Size4,200 sqft
Home Size2,243 sqft
Beds4 Beds
Baths4 Baths
-
$820,000Lot Size3,494 sqft
Home Size1,106 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths2 Baths
-
$1,919,900Lot Size6,752 sqft
Home Size2,658 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths4 Baths
-
$724,900Lot SizeN/A
Home Size1,214 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths2 Baths
-
$710,000Lot Size3,276 sqft
Home Size994 sqft
Beds1 Bed
Baths1 Bath
-
$899,990Lot Size3,050 sqft
Home Size1,100 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths2 Baths
-
$1,299,900Lot Size3,568 sqft
Home Size1,634 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths2 Baths
-
$1,699,000Lot Size5,036 sqft
Home Size3,034 sqft
Beds4 Beds
Baths4 Baths
-
$490,000Lot Size1,586 sqft
Home Size1,040 sqft
Beds1 Bed
Baths2 Baths
-
$1,200,000Lot Size22,869 sqft
Home Size1,560 sqft
BedsN/A
BathsN/A
-
$499,000Lot Size5,703 sqft
Home Size1,160 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths2 Baths
-
$309,000Lot Size5,838 sqft
Home Size527 sqft
BedsN/A
Baths1 Bath
-
$975,000Lot Size6,047 sqft
Home Size2,124 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths3 Baths
-
$925,000Lot Size7,798 sqft
Home Size1,625 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths4 Baths
-
$850,000Lot Size4,500 sqft
Home Size1,552 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths3 Baths
-
$650,000Lot Size6,787 sqft
Home Size652 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths1 Bath
-
$850,000Lot Size6,787 sqft
Home Size884 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths1 Bath
-
$699,000Lot Size5,628 sqft
Home Size1,090 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths3 Baths
-
$899,000Lot Size5,637 sqft
Home Size1,939 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths3 Baths
Leave a Reply