2310 South Lamar

Shopping Center Sign

My first job in Austin was near Irie Bean Coffee on South Lamar, so  I would stop in there sometimes in the morning for a very green pistachio muffin and a cup of breakfast tea.  My co-worker would never go there because it used to be an adult video store and they just felt weird about getting coffee there now.  Anyhow, the shopping center is still around even though the taco shop and the hair salon have gone.  East Side King, one of chef Paul Qui's restaurants now anchors one end of the center, and an outdoor patio space has evolved in the back.

Although parking is at a premium in the center, especially at lunch time, one of the spaces has been converted to an entry to the back by adding about a 4 inch tall  raised concrete curb.

Back Patio Entry with Raised Curb

A metal sculpture does double duty as a gateway and as an anchor point for a shade sail and some string lights.  The other ends are held up by galvaznized steel poles sunken into the ground.  The attachement to the poles includes an i-bolt, some caribeners and a cable tensioner.

Metal Sculpture and Gateway

Shade Sail and String Lights

Connection Close-Up

 The ground plane in the back is decomposed granite, and there are steel edging rings around the trees that are filled with river rock.  The edging isn't a very clean circle like you would get if you cut a pipe, and maybe using a thicker gauge steel would have helped preserve a cleaner curve as well.

Steel Edging Ring Around Tree

There are two types of fencing around the back.  The long wall is a combination of corrugated metal sheeting and stained wood.  The metal and wood has some hill profile look going on at one point, which I'm guessing is to screen some specific view, although there could have been some artistic intent behind it too.  The second fencing type uses basic 4x4 treated wood posts and cedar horizontal slats.  The pattern is a mix of 4 by and 2 by material with large gaps to give a more open feel.

Corrugated Metal and Painted Wood Fence

Horizontal Wood Fence with Gaps

Other custom hardscape elements include a long steel bench with steel posts mounted in the ground and then a bar with a wooden cap.  The long bench in particular seems like it probably was pretty expensive compared to the more generic wooden picnic tables.  There are a couple of dog poop stations, so I'm guessing this is a dog friendly patio space, although no canines were there during my visit.

Custom Steel Bench

Wood-topped Bar and Shaded Seating Area

Dog Clean-Up Station

 And don't forget about Buddah handing out under some bamboo that also serves as a screen to a store's back entry. 

Buddah