PROJECT
A Burger in a Box
Urbun Burger
Conceived as a modern, beach inspired interpretation of the hamburger stands and drive-ins of the 1950s, Urbun Burger in Laguna Beach is a study in simplicity and order.
The Awards jury unanimously applauded the reductive clarity of purpose and pure design that yielded a clean, singular piece of architecture.
The clear ideas and strong architectural detailing proposed made this project one of the jury’s favorites.
2016 AIA Honor Award Winner
Opening what was once an auto repair shop, and later a ragged fast food outlet, Urbun Burger offers a modern interpretation of the iconic road-side hamburger stand.
Dressed in white, and ready to serve a tasty meal at a reasonable price, Urbun offers a variety of dining experiences to its hungry patrons.
Inside the front door a long dining counter is framed by a deep, steel slot window, offering a perch from which diners may gaze upon the pedestrians and cars whizzing down Coast Highway.
CONCEPT
A long, white shoebox form is bisected by a vertical wood screen that organizes the two main spaces of the restaurant: service at the front and dining at the back. The inside is revealed to the street by a rectangular “cookie cutter” window that punctures a deep hole in the front wall of the space, framing the diners at the bar within. The walk-up window near the front door makes lunch an easy stop for beach goers heading to the sand just steps away while the doors of the back area open wide to create a “neighborhood dining room” where friends and family gather to enjoy the warm sun of the afternoon or a warm fire in the evening. Staying true to its inspiration Urbun is a simple roadside hamburger stand, but its simplicity is its strength.CONCEPT
A long, white shoebox form is bisected by a vertical wood screen that organizes the two main spaces of the restaurant: service at the front and dining at the back. The inside is revealed to the street by a rectangular “cookie cutter” window that punctures a deep hole in the front wall of the space, framing the diners at the bar within. The walk-up window near the front door makes lunch an easy stop for beach goers heading to the sand just steps away while the doors of the back area open wide to create a “neighborhood dining room” where friends and family gather to enjoy the warm sun of the afternoon or a warm fire in the evening. Staying true to its inspiration Urbun is a simple roadside hamburger stand, but its simplicity is its strength.
Around back, and only a few steps away from beach access, the roll-up garage doors of the old auto repair bays reveal a protected, but sky-lit dining patio, filled with tables and bar seating.
