About Shelter Design & Construction
Shelter Design and Construction emphasizes energy efficiency, sustainability, durability, waste reduction and recycling. Using non-toxic building materials is a priority. We encourage the homeowner's involvement and input in the process of making educated choices about design development and materials selection. We are members of the U.S. Green Building Council, the local, state, and national Home Builder's Association, the Austin Green Building Program since 1999, the Sustainable Building Coalition ("Design/Build/Live"), NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), and the Better Business Bureau.
Shelter Design and Construction provides assistance in the design and project development process, and is accomplished in all phases of residential construction. In addition to project design, remodeling, additions, and custom homes, our areas of expertise include kitchen and bathroom remodels, screened porches and decks, attic and garage conversions, and the renovation of historical homes. Although most of our work is in Austin, we also do projects in surrounding communities.
Shelter Design has had projects featured on the Cool House Tour. The Link Ave. project was featured in 2006, and the Westlake Hills project was featured in 2008.
Projects Featured in Magazines
One of our kitchen remodel projects was featured in the September/October 2003 issue of Natural Home magazine. read article >>>
The Westlake Hills project was featured in the Winter 2008 issue of Innovative Home magazine, and the kitchen was featured in Kitchen Trends volume 2507.
Shelter Design & Construction SoCo bathroom remodel also appeared in July/August 2004 issue. read article >>>
Robert "Bobby" Zirkel was one of four builders nationwide interviewed by the Journal of Light Construction, an industry publication, for an article on Green Building principles.
About Robert Zirkel
Robert Zirkel, president of Shelter Design & Construction, Inc., has over twenty-five years of construction contracting experience. He has been a proponent of green building since the early 1990's. His "hands-on" building experience includes masonry, foundations, framing, roofing, adobe, and trim carpentry. His experience working with chemically sensitive individuals enhanced his interest in the use of non-toxic building materials. Robert has written articles about green building for Natural Home Magazine, and co-authored the book Organic Dairy Farming under the auspices of Organic Valley Cooperative in Wisconsin. Robert has also given talks about green remodeling at The Renewable Energy Roundup in Fredericksburg, and at the Sustainable Building Coalition in Austin.
