A 32 storey tower in Austin's Second Street District by Handel Architects, with interiors by Kelly Wearstler built from local material: travertine out of nearby quarries, ceramics by Austin maker Rick Van Dyke, wall coverings and distressed hardwoods through the rooms. Design press also puts low-VOC paints and dual-pane UV-blocking windows in the build specification. A paint class is worth publishing because paint is the largest interior surface a guest breathes next to, and most hotels never say what is on their walls.
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What is on the record, and what is not
The kitchen language reaches local farms and plant-forward menus without naming a farm. The Verbena Spa runs sauna and cold plunge, and the gym is published at 2,000 square feet. Beyond that the record goes quiet. No air measurement, no water claim, nothing on electromagnetic load or sound. For a building this documented on its materials, one published measurement in any of those columns would change its standing here.
Each pathway scores 0 to 3 on the quality of the evidence published, not on the quality of the property. Open a row for every claim and its source.
Air Quality0Not published, 0 of 3.
Not published0 of 3 · Filtration, ventilation and what the air is measured at.
We looked for published information on Air Quality and found none. That is a gap in the public record, not a finding about the property.
What would move this score
- What filter grade is fitted to guest room air handling, for example MERV 13 or HEPA H13?
- What is the fresh air supply rate per person in a guest room?
- Are carbon dioxide, particulate or volatile organic compound levels measured, and are the readings published?
- Is there a mould inspection and remediation protocol, and when was it last run?
- Are there gas cooktops, fireplaces or other combustion sources inside guest rooms?
Water Integrity–Not assessed yet, excluded from the total.
Not yet assessedexcluded from the total
Not assessed yet, so this pathway is excluded from the total rather than counted as a zero.
What would move this score
- What is the water source, and what treatment is applied before it reaches a guest room?
- Is there a published contaminant test panel, and which laboratory ran it?
- Is shower and bath water filtered, and to what specification?
- How are pools and spas sanitised, and is the chemistry published?
- How is drinking water delivered, and is it treated on site?
Light Rhythm–Not assessed yet, excluded from the total.
Not yet assessedexcluded from the total
Not assessed yet, so this pathway is excluded from the total rather than counted as a zero.
What would move this score
- Is guest room lighting tunable or circadian, and what specification is published?
- What colour temperatures are used in the evening, and are fixtures flicker free?
- Do sleeping areas have full blackout, and is it specified?
- What daylight access does a typical room have?
- Is exterior lighting shielded or reduced overnight?
EMF Harmony0Not published, 0 of 3.
Not published0 of 3 · Wired versus wireless topology, and what is measured where people sleep.
We looked for published information on EMF Harmony and found none. That is a gap in the public record, not a finding about the property.
What would move this score
- Are guest rooms wired for data, or is access wireless only?
- Where are wireless access points and smart meters placed relative to the bed?
- Have field levels been measured in sleeping areas, and by whom?
- Can a guest have wireless disabled in their room on request?
- Is any shielded cabling or shielding material specified in the build?
Materials and Textiles2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Named materials, finishes, bedding composition and cleaning chemistry.
- Specified
Design press names locally quarried travertine and ceramics by Rick Van Dyke among the interior materials. Named materials and a named maker; nothing further is published on finishes or emissions.
locally quarried travertine
PublishedDesign Milk, Austin Proper Hotel by Kelly Wearstler. Checked 2026-08-18. - Specified
Design press publishes low-VOC paints among the building's specifications, alongside insulated dual-pane UV-blocking windows. A named finish class that limits off-gassing; no emissions measurement is published.
reclaimed irrigation systems, in-building chilled water loops, centralized boilers, low-VOC paints, energy-efficient LEDs, and insulated dual-pane UV-blocking windows
PublishedDesign Milk, Austin Proper Hotel by Kelly Wearstler. Checked 2026-08-18. - Claimed
The hotel publishes its room interiors as Arts and Crafts inspired wall coverings, distressed hardwoods and area rugs. Descriptive rather than specified; no material is named to a species, maker or certification.
Interiors are deeply influenced by local craft and artisans, featuring Arts & Crafts-inspired wall coverings, distressed hardwoods, and barefoot-friendly area rugs.
PublishedProper Hotels, Austin Proper Hotel. Checked 2026-08-18.
What would move this score
- What are the mattresses made of, and are they treated with flame retardants?
- What is the fibre content of the linen, and is it certified, for example to GOTS or OEKO TEX?
- Which paints, adhesives and sealants were specified, and are they low emission?
- What cleaning and laundry products are used, and is the list published?
- Are there named low emission certifications on the flooring or joinery?
Food and Kitchen1Claimed, 1 of 3.
Claimed1 of 3 · Sourcing, on site growing, cookware, kitchen water and additive discipline.
- Claimed
The hotel publishes menus built around local farms and plant-forward dining across its restaurants. No farm is named and no share of sourcing is published.
menus built around local farms, vibrant produce, and nutrient-rich ingredients
PublishedProper Hotels, Austin Proper Hotel. Checked 2026-08-18.
What would move this score
- What share of produce is grown on site or sourced locally, and is it verified?
- Which cooking oils are used, and is the policy published?
- What cookware is used in the kitchen?
- Is kitchen and ice water filtered, and to what specification?
- Is there a published position on additives, preservatives or allergens?
Biophilic and Healing Design0Not published, 0 of 3.
Not published0 of 3 · Nature access, views, volume and natural material contact, designed with intent.
We looked for published information on Biophilic and Healing Design and found none. That is a gap in the public record, not a finding about the property.
What would move this score
- Does every guest room have direct outdoor access or an operable opening?
- What is the published design intent behind the natural materials used?
- What are the typical ceiling heights and room volumes?
- Was the landscape designed with native planting, and is the palette published?
Sound and Sensory Ecology0Not published, 0 of 3.
Not published0 of 3 · Measured background noise, separation between keys, and scent load.
We looked for published information on Sound and Sensory Ecology and found none. That is a gap in the public record, not a finding about the property.
What would move this score
- What is the measured background noise level in a guest room at night?
- What acoustic separation is specified between adjoining keys?
- How loud is the guest room air conditioning at its lowest setting?
- Is fragrance diffused into guest rooms or public areas, and can it be declined?
38 open questions could be answered with information this property already holds. Answer these for this property
What is not publishedthe gaps we looked for and did not find
Nothing is published on ventilation, filtration or any air measurement in guest rooms. No water quality claim of any kind is on the record. Nothing is published on electromagnetic load or on sound, in a 32 storey downtown tower where both questions are live. The food language names no farm and no share of sourcing. The property displays a LEED Gold mark and design press repeats it with build specifics, but the certification has not been verified against the certifier's own public directory for this record, so it is not carried under standards; the published build specifics are scored on their own merits under materials.
Not published is not unsafehow to read these scores, and what this index does not promise
A low score means a property has not published information. It does not mean the property is unsafe, unhealthy or poorly run.
These scores measure disclosure. These scores describe disclosure, not property quality. This index has no commercial relationship with the properties listed unless a badge on the listing says otherwise.
Conditions change, and we will not always know. Every record is a snapshot of what a property had published when we read it, and that date is on the page. Conditions change: a property can refit, change suppliers or replace a system at any time, and nothing requires it to tell us. We re-read records and ask properties directly for updates, but there will always be a gap between what is true today and what was published when we looked. Use this as a frame of reference for what to ask, not as a substitute for asking. Take your own questions to the property before you book, and tell us if you find something we have wrong.
We report what properties publish. We do not inspect, certify or vouch for any property on this index unless a listing says we assessed it on site, and we accept no responsibility for decisions made or outcomes experienced on the basis of what you read here.