The Gables
SITE ANALYSIS
MASTER PLANNING
ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING
INTERIORS
ART & DESIGN
BRANDING
LOCATION: SANTA MONICA, CA
SIZE: 2,400 SFT
STATUS: COMPLETED
PROGRAM: Fast-casual restaurant with bakery and bar
PARTNERS/COLLABORATORS: Mystery, Allison Kunath (mural artist)
AWARDS: Architecture MasterPrize for Hospitality Design
The Gables is inspired by a local Santa Monica Beach Club of the same name that was never fully completed in the 1920s. Working with Mystery, an award-winning branding/design agency, BDG emulated an independent community eatery that reflects its beachside locality. The design utilizes a range of contrasting materials: whitewashed wood, glazed tiles, and mid-century air bricks with aspirational touches of brass, poured concrete flooring, and marble countertops.
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The BDG-designed concrete bricks around the bar and takeout area were inspired by those overlooking Santa Monica beach, while the gate design draws from Palisades Park. A vertical garden flanks the patio wall, with cascading greenery adding color and texture to the beachy aesthetic.
The all-day eatery was conceived by restaurateur Kevin Lazan and led by Chef Vicki Fan Matsusaka, offering a curated Southern Californian menu of healthy plates and comfort classics. A large wall mural by local artist Allison Kunath depicts bicyclists and skateboarders meandering across the dining room. A modern takeout window allows delivery apps to pick up orders without disrupting the dine-in experience.
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