Hotel San Jose
Austin, Tex.
Lake/Flato Architects

Southwestern theme captures Austin's soul

© Paul Bardagjy

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The Hotel San Jose, a 1930s motor hotel in an eclectic district of South Austin, was transformed from low-rent lodging to a hip, modern destination. Renovation of the motel required the complete restructuring of the rooms in the existing three buildings and the addition of a new 16-room building on the site of the old parking lot. The architects wanted to maintain some of the original character of the place, so they incorporated details such as tile roof sheds, arches, and arbors from the original buildings. The addition of the new building creates the fourth side of a newly landscaped central courtyard, which creates a communal outdoor space with a new swimming pool and areas where guests can relax on vintage garden furniture protected from the sun by a canvas shade cover.

Many guest rooms feature private or semi-secluded porches enclosed by cedar walls and landscaped areas of native plants create divisions between public and private areas. To further enhance the sense of privacy, stucco walls close the complex off from busy Congress Avenue and horse-trough fountains mask the traffic noise. Wherever possible, the project specified recycled materials and new materials that comply with the City of Austin's Green Building Program criteria for sustainability. Removing the central parking court and using crushed granite for the courtyard and footpaths actually reduced the area of impervious cover in this watershed region.

Formal name of building:
Hotel San Jose

Location:
Austin, Tex.

Gross square footage:
20,000 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$1.6 million

Owner:
Liz Lambert

Architect's firm:
Lake/Flato Architects
311 Third Street Suite 200
San Antonio, Texas 78205
(p) 210.227.3335 (f) 210.224.9515