Houston East End’s Historic Second Ward

Segundo Retail and Coffee

Located in the historic Second Ward, Segundo Coffee Lab serves up high quality coffee and vitals alongside retail products that celebrate their “ungentrified” Houston hometown sensibility. As Segundo’s East End neighbors, UltraBarrio designed two revamped shipping containers for Segundo, one retail and one coffee shop. 

The containers face each other and create an engaging social space within the larger shell of the 711 Ironworks. The retail space was a personal story for Segundo. For them it was important that their retail CBD offerings signaled wellness and self care above all. The retail container is punctured on two sides and infilled with deep-set wooden frames that create display space for Segundo’s merchandise. A skylight punched through the container’s roof creates the opportunity for a lifted trellis shrouded in greenery. The result is an intimate but breathable space that invites patrons to flow in and out. 

The coffee shop container’s walls are peeled up on two sides to create an awning that loosely defines waiting and ordering areas for customers. A welded steel plate extends texture, brewers and point of sale beyond the standard container width. Both containers demonstrate the impact that a few focused, intentional moves have on an otherwise standard unit. 

Completed in 2021, the containers facilitate efficient and social circulation throughout the space and encourage a slower, more intimate pace for visitors. 

UltraBarrio also had the privilege of developing their branding.

More on the branding design - click here.