The Arts District at Liberty Station is a transformative reimagining of a historically significant section of the former Naval Training Center in San Diego. As part of a broader 361-acre base, decommissioned in 1997, the Arts District spans approximately 100-acres and has been envisioned as a civic and cultural anchor for the region. Through careful design interventions and a deep respect for the site's history, the project converts underutilized outdoor spaces into an inviting "Town Square" experience that fosters community gathering, creativity, and local pride.

The mission of the Arts District is to "activate a dynamic and historic campus where enriching cultural experiences, impactful learning opportunities, and inspiring events are accessible to all." This vision guided the design team's efforts to enhance pedestrian connectivity, upgrade public spaces, and promote greater activation of the site for everyday use and special events. The result is a layered public realm that invites residents and visitors alike to meet, explore, shop, dine, and engage with local art in a setting that honors its naval and architectural heritage.

The design draws heavily from the site's Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and storied naval past. These influences are expressed through subtle yet meaningful details that create a cohesive sense of place rooted in San Diego's cultural identity. At the primary entrance, concrete benches with wood inlays evoke the image of naval recruits standing at attention along the parade grounds. Adjacent to the main building that houses the Liberty Public Market, a series of raised outdoor dining decks - affectionately referred to as "rafts" create tiered, accessible platforms that extend the market's activity outdoors and provide additional gathering space.

Custom-designed shade structures nod to the site's military past, taking cues from canvas tents once used as temporary wartime barracks. These sculptural forms provide comfort and visual interest while reinforcing the site's layered history. Perhaps the most impactful transformation is the repurposing of over 9,000-square-feet of a former parking area into a vibrant pedestrian plaza that now serves as a gateway to the Arts District. This new plaza draws inspiration from the linear axes and central courtyards of Spanish Colonial Revival planning, offering a dignified yet welcoming entrance. An artful wooden boat sculpture functions as both seating and a symbolic marker of the site's naval origins. Visitors cross a small pedestrian bridge over a landscaped bioswale to reach the plaza, which is flanked by flexible courtyard spaces that can accommodate art installations, pop-up events, and informal gatherings.

Other features include an outdoor lounge anchored by a signature fire pit, custom site furniture, and a flexible turf area designed for everything from yoga classes to art fairs. These elements provide a range of atmospheres from shaded, contemplative pockets to open, active zones, supporting the District's goal of offering dynamic experiences for diverse users.

 

Today, the Arts District is a lively cultural destination that hosts art walks, exhibitions, performances, and community events. It showcases how adaptive reuse and thoughtful landscape design can revitalize historic sites into contemporary civic spaces. More than a renovation, this project represents a respectful evolution of place which balances preservation with innovation, and history with a vision for the future.

Stone Brewing
Located in San Diego's historic Liberty Station, the 23,500-square-foot Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens stands as one of the largest and most celebrated restaurant and brewery experiences in the region. Upon opening, it was quickly recognized by San Diego Magazine as one of the "8 Great Outdoor Bars in San Diego," a reflection not only of its award-winning beer and food, but of its immersive, landscape-driven design. Encompassing more than an acre of outdoor space, the gardens are a key component of the overall guest experience, offering a layered, sensory-rich environment where dining, recreation, and reflection come together in harmony.

Schmidt Design Group collaborated closely with Stone Brewing's co-founder and CEO, Greg Koch, to realize a vision that went beyond conventional outdoor dining. The design intent was to create an informal yet curated series of garden spaces that blend natural materials, reclaimed elements, and sustainable planting design with a strong respect for the site's historical context. Liberty Station, formerly the Naval Training Center, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As such, the landscape design had to meet rigorous preservation standards while still achieving a distinctive, organic experience.

The result is a richly detailed Beer Garden organized into a series of outdoor rooms and flexible-use areas. These include intimate dining courtyards, shaded lounge pockets, an outdoor movie screening area, a bocce ball court, and a quiet tea garden, all framed by climate-appropriate plantings. The main event space and outdoor dining garden feature custom-designed water features, stone bridges, fire pits, and a mix of formal and informal seating that together reflect Stone Brewing's rugged yet refined brand identity.

A strong focus was placed on materiality and resource reuse. A central design feature is the use of "urbanite" which is recycled concrete salvaged from demolished paving on site. These pieces were repurposed as irregular pavers offering a raw, textural quality that blends with the native stone and decomposed granite used throughout the garden. Iconic boulders and sculptural stone elements anchor the spaces visually and thematically, reinforcing the brand's connection to the natural landscape.

Plantings were selected for their drought tolerance, seasonal character supporting the site's water-conservation goals and aligning with San Diego's Mediterranean climate. Layered canopy and understory planting strategies were employed to provide a mix of enclosure, shade, and openness appropriate to each garden zone. Strategic planting also helps manage microclimates across the site, cooling heavily paved areas and softening the edges of the historic architecture.

Historic compliance was a critical aspect of the project. Schmidt Design Group worked hand-in-hand with local, state, and federal preservation agencies to ensure that the design respected the formal framework and spatial organization of the original naval campus. This included preserving axial sightlines, using period-appropriate materials at key thresholds, and incorporating a structural layout that subtly aligns with the site's historic planning grid. The result balances the client's desire for a more organic, contemporary garden experience with the formal requirements of the National Register designation.

Today, the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens serves not only as a culinary and craft beer destination, but as an example of how landscape architecture can enhance the identity, sustainability, and cultural resonance of commercial hospitality spaces.

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