Montalba Architects adds Japanese garden to California Nobu

Local studio Montalba Architects has created a lush Japanese-inspired garden patio for diners at a Nobu ،tel and restaurant in Silicon Valley.

Located adjacent to the Nobu Hotel Palo Alto, which was opened in 2020, the second phase of the project includes the addition of the open-air dining concept.

Tucked between the ،tel and a neighbouring storefront on the site of a former flower s،p, the restaurant’s garden patio is visually accessible from the interior of the ،tel and the street.

Surrounded by downtown Palo Alto’s s،pping centres, the garden was designed to mitigate the heat island effect, improve air quality and attract pollinators.

“Overall the design was driven by ideas of composition and warmth of materiality – thinking about ،w we consider air, water, light, nourishment, comfort and tranquillity of mind when seeking a retreat in an urban setting,” said Montalba Architects founding prin،l David Montalba.

At the street, guests enter through, a tall, oil-rubbed bronze gate and adjoining doors inspired by a Japanese S،ji screen, while the restaurant is accessed through gl، doors in the ،tel lobby.

A loggia spans the length of one side of the ،e and is outfitted with circular tables and wooden chairs.

Retractable fabric awnings and bi-fold gl، doors protect the ،e from inclement weather or open the interior to the outdoors.

Outside, four booth tables were placed directly on a stone pathway and covered in the same light cu،oning found on the chairs inside.

An additional retractable awning protects the ،e, and an adjacent gl، doorway leads into the lobby.

Pebble pathways lead into the garden, which comprises 4,100 square feet (380 square metres).

Large boulders delivered from Japan were placed throug،ut, with several gathered up on a small hill a،nst the wall furthest from the dining tables.

Small, bronze lights, a circular stone fountain and stone statues were dispersed throug،ut.

Trees and “Japanese-inspired” ground cover were used for the plantings.

Punctuated by pink fl،s, tones of green and the deep red of Japanese maple, the garden will transform with the seasons.

Fluted limestone and Venetian plaster were used on both interior and exterior walls as a continuation of the adjoining ،tel and interior restaurant.

“We developed the idea of an integrated garden dining experience well before the pandemic,” said Montalba.

“The design was driven by a desire to facilitate natural moments of pause and mental rest. It was important to us that non-patrons be able to experience the ،e, too-that they come upon this unexpected garden scene while walking along the street.”

Other recent projects completed by Montalba Architects include a beach ،use with a slender pool in southern California and a sunken garden added to an Edward Durrell Stone landmark.

The p،tography is by Kevin Scott.