LEMONADE, Newport Beach

LEMONADE

by:Bon Abedeen / Patrick Chen

 

The concept is best described as Seasonal Southern California Comfort Food in a fast-casual cafeteria setting.

 

Hold onto your hats! The buzz has been consistent— This one feels bigger; more important, more universal, less trendy, and at the tip of the innovation triangle. Like the iPad of food, Southern California restaurant Lemonade is where all the developments of the last decade have come together to form one world-beater of a product. Maybe we are overstating it, but we don’t think so. We love Lemonade and think it is the future of food.

 

Lemonade was founded by chef Alan Jackson to “capture the L.A. spirit of adventure about food,” according to its website. The company bio goes on to state that Lemonade has “an appreciation of the freshest seasonal ingredients, and a desire to reinterpret familiar dishes with unexpected twists. The food is for people who care about what they eat. It’s clean, healthy, and inventive.” In layman’s terms, it is a modern take on a classic 1950s high-school cafeteria. Everyone can relate to the cafeteria because everyone went to school, and Lemonade has recreated it with better experience, while maintaining the emotional essence. The best part of this fast casual concept is that shoppers can eat quick, yet healthy in this grab and go lunch   and dinner venue.

Upon entering the restaurant Patrick and I noticed how clean everything looked. The interior was fresh, modern and inviting. The smell was wonderful and we could see that it was cafeteria style where we would get a tray and go on down the line to choose what we wanted. We noticed that each item in the line had a small sign/label informing each particular food item is as well as a symbol stating if its gluten free or vegan which is very helpful to health conscious people. Securing our spot at the table, we were able to then relax and take in the surroundings. Lemonade offered quite a familiar essence about it and it somehow reminded us of our childhood. Looking around the cafe we noticed that the tables were made out of DuPont Corian. Specially engineered to be both visually stunning and long lasting commercial product of surpassing beauty. This is seen is a virtually seamless solid-surface flowing through the kitchen, bath countertops and back-splashes, intricate inlays and textures, brilliant color and lighting effects — it’s all incorporated in a number of complex compound angles, curves and vertical surfaces.





Reflected 3form Wall - Chroma Vitamin C



Additionally, there were some truly phenomenal plastic looking square tiles on the wall. When we looked a little closer however, we noticed they were made completely of sustainable gypsum wall tile. We were captured by the restaurant’s decor: sunflowers, colorful chairs, tables, pots, pans, etc. The interior design is sophisticated, chic, fresh, modern and inviting with an analogous color scheme, and the use of ‘lemon slice shaped’ light fixture: picture perfect for any occasion.

Lemonade is a fast-casual modern cafeteria-style eatery, the brand is young, hip, colorful, and crisp, with elements of retro Americana that made us feel right at home. There is an Emotional Connection. To start, Lemonade has realized that a great hospitality experience has as much to do with how the business connects to its customers culturally as it does with what is being served. In the post-industrial age, having a great product is not enough; the emotional connection is paramount. This factor is a huge differentiator between a moderately successful company and a cultural juggernaut like Starbucks. Lemonade has the potential to be like Starbucks because the brand and experience are as good as the product. Everyone can relate to the cafeteria because everyone went to school, and Lemonade has recreated it with better food, service, and seating, while maintaining the emotional essence.

Stainless Steel Drop Down Ceiling
with LED recessed lighting

Recycled Wood Sittings
Stainless Steel Food Container

Lemonade features an open kitchen in the back so that customers can see their professional chefs creating artisan quality food and then moving it to the cafeteria-style trays on display.

 

The restaurant offers an abundance of seating in the bright, modern 3,800 square-foot space, which includes both indoor and outdoor seating, just steps away from the Fashion Island movie theater. We really liked the architecture and interior of Lemonade. We feel the materials work well and will hold up well over the years.

Next time you are here at Fashion Island, stop by Lemonade after a day of shopping or before/after catching a move to enjoy some delicious contemporary California cuisine.

Did we say how fascinated we are with the gigantic macaroon?  LOL!

 

Interior & Materials

  - Reflected 3Form Wall - Chroma Vitamin C

- Wood Panel Grille Ceiling

- Stainless Steel Drop Down Ceiling

- LED Recessed Lighting

- LED Pendant Light

- Stainless Steel Counter Top

- Recycled Wood Menu Sign

- Yellow Painted Structural Column

- Polished Concrete Flooring

- Sustainable Gypsum Wall Tile

- Green Wall Wall Paper

 

 

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Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America Building

by Megan Pham-Le

 

             The Hyundai Motor America building, a project by the architectural design firm Gensler, is situated in Fountain Valley, California. It was completed in 2013 and is finished at 6 stories high and 504,000 sq ft. This commercial building is seeking a Gold LEED certification with its impressive list of sustainable materials and products.

             The structure will house a showroom of Hyundai’s vehicles which can be seen

from the 405 freeway. Adjoined to the main building is a one story, 50,000 square foot technical services facility. In addition to the Hyundai Motor America lot is a free-standing parking structure. Once inside, the entrance and lobby are seen to be two stories high.

             The façade of the building is made up of four major wall types. On floors one and two, the walls are made of captured channel glazing supported by a continuous stainless steel channel on either side by the head and sill. Custom curtain wall for levels three through six make up about 135,000 square feet of the space. This curtain wall is made up of 900 panels of 5’ x 10’ custom designed, large insulated glass. Its layers of glass is each comprised of performance coatings and grit, which is a ceramic composition that provides solar, light, and acoustical benefits. White grit “speed lines” in the glass help provide solar shading by reducing the heat that comes through.

            Its south, east, and west elevated walls is composed of laminated, insulated low-iron glass with enhanced acoustical properties. This will help make the glass cleaner and clearer while still being energy efficient and  maximizing the daylight penetration. The north wall of this space has insulated low iron glazing.

             The centerpiece of this architectural art is the two story atrium in the south most elevation. It  leads to an open air public courtyard at the center of the building. Surrounding this open space is point-fixed laminated glass at 3/4” by deep glass fins at 18” structurally supported by stainless steel fittings and splice plates. The building’s optimal energy efficient glass is still a beautiful sight that provides a view of great clarity for those looking in and out.

             The building shows its sustainability prowess even further by recycling water from the site’s landscaping and its rooftop garden. The energy consumed by the use of the building is also cut down due to its efficient use of light and energy. Recyclable materials used in the construction of the building will be recycled in the future.

              Its fire lane access is built with Grasscrete, a LEED attributed concrete installed with biodegradable molded pulp formers. This system allows for emergency vehicle access, storm water runoff management, and heat island effect reduction. The sub-base and concrete of this material also uses recycled content along with the application of Grasscrete. The type of grass used in this system is UC Verde Buffalo grass, which has drought tolerant capabilities.

The Buffalo grass can actually flourish on as little as 1/4” thick of water once a week (in some locations). With its awe inspiring design, the Hyundai Motor America building is sure to receive the Gold LEED certification.

 

 

 

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Lock and Key Social Drinkery

Lock and Key Social Drinkery

By:  Maria Batarce and Linda Celis

Tired of the hustle and bustle of our extremely busy schedules, Linda and I decided to venture outside of our regular stomping grounds and decided to take a trip up north, well as north as the city of Downey that is.  Downey is a city in Los Angeles County that is located 13 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.  Downey’s downtown slowly deteriorated until there was little nightlife, that is, until locals decided to take action and revitalize its downtown.  Marc Shelton is one Downey native that decided to invest in its downtown and opened a 3,100-square-foot gastro pub named the Lock and Key Social Drinkery in the fall of 2013.  The pub is located in what was previously the Downey Music Center

.  And this is where Linda and I ended up.  This of course was not by accident as Linda and her husband are personally acquainted with Marc Shelton.   Marc was gracious enough to allow us to tour and photograph his masterpiece two years in the making.  Marc completely gutted and renovated the interior of the building, no stone, or wall was left unturned.  As a result Marc had to deal with many of the inconveniences of remodeling an older building; this included issues with the city’s fire codes.  An interesting fact that Marc mentioned was that the fire insulation he added throughout the building is environmentally friendly as it is made of plant materials and it never catches fire.  I feel safer already!  As you enter the premises, you become enthralled with what the new design has become, Urban Rustic.  Although the place has overall masculine feel, it is beautiful and inviting.  The floors are finished concrete which not only emphasizes the masculine décor, but it is environmentally friendly as well (excellent choice Marc!).  There is wood everywhere; on the tables, walls and ceilings and we love it!  The natural wood is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also conveys warmth and makes you feel welcomed.

The wooden tabletops appear to be made from reclaimed wood which is environmentally friendly as it is a recycled resource. The wood on the walls is actually used as wainscot as the walls are charcoal grey in color with accent walls in a silver and black harlequin pattern.

The harlequin pattern is in printed on vinyl with the black diamond area of the pattern in a velvety texture which gives the walls a cool and funky feel.  The vinyl wall covering is an excellent idea as it is not only a sustainable resource, but it is also very durable making it a perfect material for commercial use.  The booths are upholstered in tufted black vinyl; the booths are comfortable to sit in and the vinyl upholstery is very durable making it another perfect selection.  Continuing the tour of the place we decided to pay homage to the porcelain gods by visiting the restrooms.  The masculine theme continues into the restrooms, with dark vinyl wall coverings.  Although masculine, we loved the restrooms.  The walls are dark and shinny, resembling metal plating, and they create a nice clean look.

At one point I felt like I was inside a metal tool box!  We loved that the baseboards and crown moldings in the restroom are a shiny aluminum material; we felt that that small detail added a nice contrast to the dark restroom.  After our restroom detour, we headed to the bar for alcohol-free beverages.  The bar is well stocked and the overall look is sleek and modern.  There is seating at the bar comprising of black plastic chairs with a thin cushion.  Although we would not have thought that this particular seating selection would be comfortable, it actually was.   Also, the bar area is the brightest space in the bar.  There are two large flat screen televisions flanking the bar built-ins, where you can watch your favorite team play while enjoying your favorite poison.  The spirits are also well lit, inviting you to come over for a visit.  The lighting throughout the bar is very minimal; Marc wanted to create an intimate ambience by using lighting that was between 2,700 and 3,000 Kelvin which we feel it works well in the space.  Throughout our time there, we felt at ease, comfortable and relaxed; as if we were at home hanging out with a group of friends.  The pub has only been open a few months but it has already gained a following due to its hip contemporary vibe.   

We highly recommend you visit Lock and Key Social Drinkery, where the ambience is inviting, the food is delicious, and we are pretty sure the drinks will be amazing.  So next time you are looking to have a good time head out to Downtown Downey where you can let lose, have a good time and meet new friends.  Cheers!

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RED O, Newport Beach

RED O

By:  Nicole Richards and Rhina Chou

          Where once was just a parking lot, now lays the vibrant, RED O restaurant in Newport Beach, which opened during the summer of 2013.  RED O at Fashion Island is the restaurant’s second location, and features Mexican Cuisine by Rick Bayless with menu items exclusive to Orange County.  According to an Irvine Company Press Room Article, the first California RED O restaurant, located off Melrose in West Hollywood, which opened in 2010, was noted as one of the “Best New Restaurants” in America with “Best Design” by Esquire magazine. 

Drama is heightened upon entering through a grand wooden and metal nail head accented door, to indulge in the 7,000 square foot free standing restaurant building at Fashion Island, “inspired by the historic villas of Mexico’s breathtaking San Miguel de Allende.” 

Instantaneously the palette is stimulated by exciting red accents and decor, paired with an authentic, rusticated vibe.  The dining patio alone consists of 1,500 square feet, polished with painted sleek, steel structured beams.  Martyn Lawrence Bullard, an award-winning Los Angeles based interior designer, is responsible for the restaurant’s “Mediterranean floor plan” and design which is made to, “evoke a feel of a lavish Mexican resort.” In an OC Foodies article, Bullard also notes on the look of the restaurant by calling it a, “modern and luxurious space that mingles with old world textures to create a beautiful and inviting space that is perfect to experience Chef Rick Bayless’ modern Mexican fare.”   

You cannot help but be in awe of RED O’s decorative and colorful stone mosaic flooring in the entryway, which according to the restaurant’s website, has been imported.  The ornate mosaic flooring utilized throughout the restaurant for continuity, flows beautifully into the open floor plan’s transition of porcelain wooden planks, which are a wise specification when it comes to maintenance in the main dining area where spillage can be prominent.  The porcelain wooden planks appear so natural and authentic that it was initially difficult to distinguish if they were porcelain or real hardwood.

While eating, no coasters are necessary for the texturized, faux wooden tables also provide proper maintenance for drinks and spills.  Even the presentation of food was reflective of the restaurant’s materials and design, with rich colors contrasted on crisp, white plates.  A variety of unique furniture, noted to be custom and described as “exotic,” is covered in upholstery that is thick to the touch for commercial grade durability.  The upholstery features everything from softened stripes to floral patterns and “distressed leather,” all tying in with the restaurant’s eclectic, yet harmonious theme.  No matter where you look, every angle of Red O has been decorated with careful consideration.  The ceilings are lined with faux wooden beams for authentic visual appeal and also with red, upholstered acoustic panels to assist with proper sound maintenance on busy nights.  Twinkling light shines through the dangling, pierced brass lanterns which Bullard reports were his own design and made in Fez, Morocco.  Walls come to life, as Bullard quotes they are filled with, “Moorish tiles mixed with distressed mirrored glass mosaics, designed exclusively by me, adding an unbelievable texture and depth to the space.” 

In addition, the walls are “dressed in deep red stained tobacco papers reminiscent of cordovan leather seen in the noble residences of Seville and Madrid, studded with bronze nail heads.”  The restaurant also provides plenty of reflection with its “Taj Majal mirrors” placed strategically throughout the interior.  

The specifications of materials and products for the RED O Newport Beach restaurant are thoughtful and logical displays of durability, relating back to the origins of Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s inspiration from around the world.  The distressed leather upholstery may be of concern for feeling a bit cold to the touch when being seated during the winter months; however, the selections overall were appropriate for commercial grade maintenance,  yet creative to still aesthetically reflect the appeal of real hardwood floors and tables mixed with the authenticity of European tiles.  I would highly recommend RED O restaurant in Newport Beach to anyone looking to enjoy great Mexican Cuisine while experiencing an exciting escape from reality where they are immersed into a fusion of cultures.    

Resources

Bullard, M. L. (2014, February 22). RED O. MartynLawrenceBullard.com. Retrieved April14,2014, from http://martynlawrencebullard.com/livelovedecorate/design/red-o.

Lauren. (2013, November 01). Rick Bayless Debuts RED O in Newport Beach This Month. OCFoodies.com. Retrieved April 14, 2014, from http://www.ocfoodies.com/profiles/blogs/rick-bayless-debuts-red-o-in-newport-beach-next-month.

(2012, November 05). Los Angeles’ RED O Restaurant Mexican Cuisine by Rick Bayless Coming to Fashion Island. Retrieved April 14, 2014, from http://www.irvinecompany.com/los-angeles%E2%80%99-red-o-restaurant-mexican-cuisine-by-rick-bayless-coming-to-fashion-island

      

 

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Bank Turned Luxury Home

Inside a Bank Turned Luxury Home

by

Kayla Cozad

 

      This article I have found is from the site CNN Money where a former bank teller bought her old workplace in 1989 and turned it into a spectacular home , complete with a bar in one vault and a sauna in the other.

The new owner of this bank Cathy Calhoun bought the bank for 52,000 dollars and took 24 years to transform this bank, built in 1872 into a spectacular home. The bank is located in Spring City, Pa; the space includes a fully stocked bar, a sauna and an entertaining space in the old lobby. What Ms. Calhoun did to this old bank now has a total of about 5,200 square-feet of living space. There are three bedrooms and three baths, with many old fixtures and spaces that have been kept and reimagined. For instance, Calhoun turned the old "coupon room," where affluent bank clients used to clip coupons from their bearer bonds, into a powder room. Also one of the old vaults has been turned into a fully stocked bar, Ms. Calhoun removed a wall of safe deposit boxes to free up seating room, but left the other wall of boxes intact. Calhoun in the process found many interesting things and saved some of the trinkets into a display as memorabilia. Calhoun also removed the dropped ceiling, restored the lobby's soaring 40-foot height and repaired the original coffers and skylight

(She also hired a ceiling painter to duplicate the pink clouds and baby blue skies commonly seen in the Pennsylvania countryside at sunset. She kept the old double entrance doors but playfully gold-lettered "Calhoun Federal" on them. Potential customers still knock on the doors to inquire about banking services. She transformed the old boardroom to a bedroom .

Ms. Calhoun left the entryway to the old boardroom intact and made it her master suite. She had to do very little to restore the bedroom area. She just had it spackled and painted, and added a large, luxurious bath. A second fault was turned into a sauna with a door from the original vault. 

( There's also a hidden room in the basement where, the local historical society believes, the old bank note printing press survives. The old brass and the steel vault doors only need to be cleaned with a bit of Windex, the marble and granite walls covered with layers of dark grime. They cleaned up real nice, though, even revealing the veining in the marble. The walls are three-feet thick and keep the home cool in the summer and warm in winter.

Some fun information about this vault is the old vault has a dark history. In 1921, seven bank robbers herded seven bank directors, two employees and two customers into the unventilated space.

“When the original Seth Thomas street clock that used to project out over the front doors was returned it to its place of honor, the unveiling attracted half the town. "People were crying," said Calhoun. "They remembered as children telling time by the clock."

                                  Bibliography

 Christie, Les. “Inside a bank turned luxury home, $52,000 and 24 years of renovations.”

            Money, CNN. 1 Nov. 2013.
            http://money.cnn.com/gallery/real_estate/2013/11/01/bank-home/index.html

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