COAST HWY 101 || Commercial Design Projects at FWL

US Highway 101 is the main artery on the United States’ Pacific Coast that links the North to the South. It was originally established to connect the Spanish missions, pueblos, and presidios that formed California centuries ago; however it now links the major cities that make up the West Coast. In San Diego the major throughway was overtaken by the I-5, and the Historic Route 101 is now a scenic route that hugs the coast of north county San Diego (from Oceanside to La Jolla). We have the unique opportunity to not only work by this monument of California but we have the pleasure of beautifying a portion that belongs to commercial buildings on the north end of Solana Beach.  

Commercial development is out of our normal scope of FWL design. But we embrace the opportunity to expand our repertoire wherever we can. The only this is that our way of designing will have to be adjusted as the user will be engaging with the landscape differently then our typical clients. The landscape is being perceived on the move, if that is by foot, bike, or car; typically people are not coming to this landscape to stay awhile. People must be able to grab the essence of the design at a glance as they are moving through it. Unlike residential, the user will not have time to notice the tiny details we usually include as they are sitting around their fire pit, but will mostly be seeing it through their peripherals. With these ideas in mind we took on the challenge of creating a stunner along the Historic Highway!

We recently completed the first phase of the design and implementation. The desert, low water, vibe was a theme throughout, in order to lower the maintenance necessity and to save on water. The rustic materials of the buildings contrast with the architectural agaves and cacti. Vibrant plant material stands out in front of the industrial steel backdrop.

We are not done yet! We will take this project step by step to ensure each area is built to perfection. See below for before and after pictures!

| BEFORE |

| AFTER |