Restaurant (2018-2019)
South Coast Plaza Shopping Mall, Costa Mesa, CA
Chef Amar Santana / Vaca Restaurant Group

The Hall is a Mediterranean inspired restaurant with multiple table service and fast-casual food concepts under one roof. Located on the perimeter of the mall, an existing 8,000 sqf restaurant, patio and exterior façade were transformed into a “mini food hall”.

Inspired by the typologies of the European market hall, a vaulted ceiling scheme was developed as a unifying feature for the space. White oak baffles create an array of shallow vaults over seating areas that then transform to barrel vaults over the front of house food preparation spaces.

The food concepts include a patisserie, Mediterranean grill, Crudo / seafood bar and cocktail bar. Each concept is defined by a different graphic cement tile pattern cladding the counters, providing an identity that is unique but related.

Arabesque-shaped tile was used as a repeating secondary motif throughout the project to suggest the Mediterranean theme in a contemporary manner. A custom large format tile was developed for the exterior façade as a signage element announcing the restaurant to the main road across the parking lot. Three custom glazes were developed to create a textured elevation using the brand color.

Photography: Chad Mellon Photography