Located on what was a leftover, narrow lot between the Lance Armstrong Bikeway and the CapMetro Light Rail, Talavera Lofts provides a creative and sustainable solution to much-needed affordable housing in East Austin. The project, led by Nelsen Partners, won the 2023 AIA Austin Design Award of Excellence and has recently been featured in Texas Architect and ArchDaily.

Adjacent to the vibrant mixed-use Plaza Saltillo as well as the bikeway, light rail, and multiple bus lines, the project supports pedestrian connections and multi-modal transit, which are critical to the success of affordable housing. Despite limited space on a triangular lot, the landscape provides outdoor spaces that are crucial to residents feeling at home. The streetscape acts as the front porch, where residents can linger, watch, and engage with their surrounding community, while a second floor amenity terrace serves as the backyard—a place of refuge and relaxation removed from the busy street.