The library sits adjacent to Shoal Creek and the landscaping certainly plays to the site. The limestone walls and their sinuous curves define the location.
But first. Would you feel safe in, or under, that building to the right? All I could think of was... "Austin must not have to worry about earthquakes"...
Heading into the library for the opening party I was torn between following the group inside, or exploring the plantings. I was hungry so I decided to head in.
There were lots of good things out there to be seen, and the kid in me wanted to climb!
After dinner we took the elevator up to the roof garden.
Looks promising, don't you think?
It was all sorts of fabulous up there, above the city. Where a strong breeze helped to cool things down.
I love the different furniture groupings.
And the garden walls which could double as seating.
Nolina some-something. Our desert flora expert David Cristiani identified it and we all stood around and admired it, but do you think I can remember its name? No....
More of our group...
I think this silvery soft-leaved beauty, with the fantastic seed pods, is Sophora secundiflora, aka Texas mountain laurel.
We saw it in several gardens over the next few days.
A shot of the Colorado river and the view from the library roof...
...before heading down to the street level to do a little exploring.
Must be a strong wind blowing through here to knock those Yucca blooms almost horizontal.
Looking back at the library from the other side of the bridge.
Wowsa! A nice roof-garden on a neighboring building.
Looking up from below I thought the bridge might be for pedestrians only, that's not the case.
That's a complicated awning.
Hey...
After the event wrapped up a group of us meandered back to our hotel. Of course there were several Agave photo-ops en-route.
I tried to be a little sly in my photo taking, but I think everyone knew what I was up to.
Weather Diary, June 27: Hi 75, Low 57/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Wow! What a grand place to start the fling! Image 2 is brilliant with the shape of the bridge echoed in the arc of the limestone. Ferns in Texas? Who knew?
ReplyDeleteWish you could have been there...
DeleteApparently we have far more desert fern varieties than woodland ferns. I had no idea that was even a thing!
DeleteLori, it is! I've got a couple in my front garden. Although those particular ferns look more like the woodland variety to me.
DeleteYou'd have made a great plant explorer I think. You always find great things in nooks and crannies everyone else misses. Re your temperature: low 75?! How is it that it's warmer up your way than it is here? We're nearing the noon hour and it's only 61.
ReplyDeleteBecause I was still half asleep when I added the temperatures this morning! Duh. Thanks for catching that. Should have been a high of 75 and low of 57. We're having a stretch of days in the 70's which is nice since the humidity seems so high.
DeleteWasn't that just the perfect place to have the opening party? We are so lucky to have such a wonderful new library.
ReplyDeleteIt was! And you are.
DeleteThe library and environs are stunning from every angle. Texas sure has a look all its own. Happy to be seeing it through your lens.
ReplyDeleterickii
Any desire to visit in person?
DeleteOf course...and San Antonio too!
DeleteExcellent photos Loree ! This sure was a nice venue.
ReplyDeleteThanks ks!
DeleteI am thrilled that the library opened in time for us to have our event there. It's such an amazing space, indoors and out. Yes, the silvery tree is a Texas mountain laurel. The earthquake-defying building is nicknamed the Jenga building (and no, we don't have earthquakes). And those final agave shots were of the landscaping at Austin City Hall, another cool space in its own right. I would love to have had the designers speak to our group, but, well, there just wasn't time for everything.
ReplyDeleteThere never is, but none-the-less it was a joy to walk by your city hall.
DeleteMy favorite thing about that rooftop garden might be how the roof over the seating areas is made of solar panels! It took me forever to notice that little detail, it's so well integrated.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, I wondered if that was the case, looking at my photo from the ground.
DeleteAbsolutely fantastic roof garden space, and the library ground done so well.
ReplyDeleteThe last 2 street pics of rockery and agave (on the way back to the hotel), would you say its "normal" city-planting look in Austin? I find it so very attractive.
The city (and commercial) planting certainly varied, but there were a lot of very cool ones. This one was a little unusual in that it was allowed so much space.
DeleteThat library was a great place to start the fling! And I noticed that strange Jenga building too - the engineer in me wants to push the pieces together!
ReplyDeleteI get that! I felt the same way.
DeleteA wonderful library. Austin is surely proud of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd a wonderful Fling it was. Austin should be proud of that, too.
I'm just emerging from post-Fling fog, so it was great to see your post. I really regret not walking around the gardens at the base, but I was caught up in (fruitless) bat-watching from the roof garden.
ReplyDelete