By Charity
Hunter, Keshia Willet
The
South Coast Collection, or SoCo as it has been nicknamed, is located off the
405 freeway in Costa Mesa, California. It features furniture showrooms, fabric
stores, cafes, a wine bar, cheese shop and clothing boutiques. The
development’s main goal was to be as environmentally friendly as possible while
also being more than just a shopping destination but a place for community. The
center features a weekly farmers market and has made huge efforts to redesign
the entire foot print of the 300,000 square foot parcel to be efficient and
sustainable.
The
first thing that a visitor of the SoCo center will notice is the landscaping.
The developers, Burnham USA, started with the concept to “go green” and use
materials and products throughout that were eco-friendly and sustainable.
Starting with the landscaping sets the tone for rest of the development. When
asked in an interview for Coast Magazine developer Scott Burnham said, “All of
our green projects include a landscape design that
incorporates drought tolerant plant materials. Succulents, grasses, olive
trees, and other comparable plant material generally are a common theme in our
landscape design”
In addition to incorporating draught tolerant plants the developers also worked
with the Paul Mitchell School and created a “state-of the-art water reclamation
system/water tower that treats up to 2,000 gallons of daily water usage from
the School and diverts it to be reused for other onsite purposes, including
SoCo irrigation water”. The center also
features a Zen Garden with high reaching bamboo plants as a visual reminder of
the commitment to sustainability. It’s no surprise that bamboo is one of the
materials used at the OC Mart Mix since they are promoting green design and
bamboo is initially the first sustainable material most of us think of. Bamboo
has many qualities making it green but the most significant is its rapid growth
and durability. The OC Mart Mix uses bamboo as partitions to seclude seating
arrangements in the outside courtyard.
The
large buildings of the SoCo center are also made of sustainable materials.
Starting with the natural concrete used to form the buildings. Concrete is a
wonderfully versatile material that can offer many different applications and a
variety of aesthetics. The fire pit is a favorite of visitors because of the
unique concrete spheres that contain the fire.
The
main feature of the SoCo center is the OC Mart Mix an urban, eco-friendly, and
low-maintenance design concept. Of course reclaimed wood from redwoods to ipe
wood would be used throughout the project. Used structurally and decoratively
the distressed wood is absolutely everywhere. The salvaged planks structurally frame all the
shops with glass walls which add to the open space concept yet still stay true
to sustainable design. Applied to shelving in various stores and used for the
hanging signs displaying the store name the OC Mart Mix now uses it in a
decorative sense.
The
contrast between the warm tones of reclaimed wood and the cool modern sense of
metal and concrete is seen in many of the OC Mart Mix outdoor and indoor
furniture. Patio tables throughout the courtyard have a metal base and leg,
with an inlay of wood for the table top. In the Portola Coffee Lab their
seating also incorporates the same idea with metal legs, backs and wood seats.
Benching placed throughout the space use large unfinished timber on top two
concrete blocks. All are great pieces that continue the cohesiveness of
contemporary yet sustainable design.
Several
types of sand, gravel, and dirt are used as a way to section off seating areas
in the courtyard with concrete sidewalks or pathways. At first one might think
sand and dirt for a shopping center courtyard wouldn’t be the best material to
source but the OC Mart Mix pulls it off in the most smart and fresh way. It’s
smart design because it helps with irrigation and is low maintenance. It’s an
innovative design because it unites the use of concrete that is smooth and
sleek with sand and gravel that is rustic and natural.
16 comments:
This well written summary of design principles and sustainability at the South Coast Collection is calling me to finally exit the freeway and stop at the center. The Zen Garden seems like a relaxing place to take a break after shopping. Miriam Horowitz
i've always wanted to visit the oc mart! i love the use of the zen garden, bamboo, and reclaimed wood!
The zen garden looks so relaxing! Great use of space in the shopping center! Great description and written well. I like how they made the fire pit in the middle of the large concrete walls to make it a more cozy area. they did a great job promotioning the green, sustainable design.
-Vanessa Cheek
The SoCo center is very sustainable with the reclaimed wood and the cement flooring!...and so much more.....I was interested in the fire pit made of cement hopefully one day all go see it.
The zen garden is so beautitul, it reminds me of my homeland, Vietnam. Great job on using the principles of element as well!
I really enjoyed seeing all the pictures you posted. It's amazing how the area is eco friendly which doesn't happen much these days. The whole space is beautiful!
Beautiful how they used green design alongside aesthetics!
I've never actually stopped here but have driven by it many times and loved the look of it. Thanks to this report I will defintitely be stopping by to see this sustianable space!
Looks like a great place and very relaxing. Love the idea of having a lot of planets makes the place clean,green and refreshing. Would love to visit it soon.
the whole design is all about sustainable. And it turns out looking good. That zen garden looks just beautiful and relaxing. Time to go have a walk over there.=)
Love the use of concrete and raw wood together. This design was done very well. Along with the gardens it evokes a feeling of peace.
Love the bamboo, good place for walking around and relaxing, nice designs and materials used, worth a visit. :)
I drive by this place everyday, now I really want to go and check out the design and the shops there.
I love this place building design! it is so relaxing, refreshing, and green
the benches are very creative , the bamboo fesad gives a very contemprary feeling
Really loving the zen garden and use of bamboo and reclaimed wood. I’ve always pass by this place going on the 405 and after reading this article I definitely will be stopping by.
—Tiffany Le
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