Sonora
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Sonora
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Stepping a multifamily building through a steep site to balance scale, views, and density.
A 17-foot elevation change across the building footprint defined the project from the start. Instead of flattening the site, the building steps with the terrain, reading as four stories on one side and three on the other. This terraced approach softens the building’s presence near adjacent neighbors while opening the structure toward distant views.
Maintaining Efficiency Through Change
Changes in grade shape both the exterior expression and the internal experience. Partial floors and coordinated level transitions create a sequence of spaces that move naturally with the terrain. Repeatable unit stacking was maintained throughout, with lower-level units designed with increased ceiling heights to support livability where the building meets the grade.
A Building Focused on Units
Amenities are distributed across the broader 40-acre community, allowing this building to remain focused on residential efficiency. A central courtyard provides a pool and community space, bringing light and air into the building while providing a clear focal point for residents. Exterior materials reflect long-term durability requirements tied to the project’s 100-year ground lease, balancing permanence with constructability.
“Market Square were very creative with their design solution for our project as we were faced with extremely challenging topo, environmental and zoning restrictions in order to achieve the most efficient building possible that also met our design criteria for the community. They are great to collaborate with, taking into account all our ideas and considerations, and simultaneously collaborate very well with fellow design leads on the project across other firms (which there are a lot of on this one)! I will be excited to work with their team again.”
NIK WHITTAKER, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | GREYSTAR
“MSA was very creative with their design solution for our project, as we were faced with extremely challenging topo, environmental, and zoning restrictions in order to achieve the most efficient building possible that also met our design criteria for the community. They are great to collaborate with, take into account all our ideas and considerations, and simultaneously collaborate very well with fellow design leads on the project across other firms (of which there were a lot on this one)! I will be excited to work with their team again.”
NIK WHITTAKER, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | GREYSTAR
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