Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, located in the heart of downtown Nashville, is a space for the community. The original brick building, former home to The Rutledge Room, was renovated and expanded to house three distinct areas: a full-service restaurant downstairs, two private dining rooms on the second floor, and a large beer garden with two bars at the top. The floorplan creates a multilayered atmosphere seamlessly connecting all three areas. Configured to feel like it's always been there, the design welcomes customers to linger in the lounge area featuring shipping containers converted into seats. Patrons can even view into the hog pits to see the smokers in action. A mural and aging effects created by Shelia B. Art cover the walls, bringing depth into the space. A partial greenhouse roof collects rainwater to nourish the plants, which brings nature onto this rooftop in the heart of downtown.