In areas where space is measured in dollars, the owner of a restaurant development, such as the Soup Exchange in Chula Vista, California, is quite often interested in expanding the sense of space from the interior to the exterior of the project. This can be accomplished by integrating the architectural design with the interior concepts and extending this energy to the exterior. Coordinating plant material, paving patterns, and monumentation all create a feeling of extension. These solutions work very well in the daylight. However, at night these effects can be lost if proper attention is not paid to the lighting.

Specimen Magnolias and King Palms framed panoramic views from the patio area off the bar and dining room of the 12,000 sq. ft. facility. Foundation plantings of Hibiscus and Wheeler’s Dwarf Tobira were components of a very simple plant palette that included Phoenix Reclinata, Senegal Date Palms, Phoenix Roebelenii, Pygmy Palms, Seaforthia Elegans, and King Palms. Chorisia trees, Silk Floss, were placed at entries for their dramatic pink flowers. Timber bamboo, Bamusa Oldhamii was planted at the edge of the property to screen the nearby freeway.

The terrace allows the landscape architect to bring the patron up and into the patio area.

The terrace walls on the street side of the project are stuccoed and washed with light to emphasize the branching of the 30’ Silk Floss Chorisia trees and backlight the 5 gal. Wheeler’s Dwarf Tobira.

Using BEGA standards. Kemp & Associates provided light for the patrons and recognition from the surrounding property.

To add light to the patio dining room adjacent to the street and south parking lot, the lighting standards are faced inward at 10 foot intervals. The light is focused on the diners but also illuminates the walkways, the lawn area and the front of the building without glaring in the eyes of passersby. To enhance the tropical appeal from both the street and the interior, while adding light for the outside diners, the King Palms on the patio’s extension were uplit with the low voltage B-K “Light Star” #L-S-3-B2P-7-9. These fixtures were placed amidst the Strelitzia Nicolai and aimed to specifically pinpoint the fronds. Raised planters on the t east side of the Soup Exchange are planted with Phoenix Roebelenli and backlit with Bega Wall Wash. According to David Kemp, “We wanted to created an immediate ambiance, even as patrons drove into the parking lot,” but not all of the customers drive to the dining establishment.

Much like another well-known California city, San Diego has a very popular trolley way. The Soup Exchange is located across from one of the more popular San Diego trolley stops. Twenty percent of the restaurant patrons come by way of the trolley.

To attract attention from the trolley stop, as well as other passersby, Kemp & Associates provided space for a future sculpture piece to be placed in an area surrounded by one of the curved walls.

The work of David Kemp & Associates at the Soup Exchange can be used as an example of blending architecture with landscape to create an effect that works from the inside out, from the outside in and in the night as well as the day.