Montalba Architects has been involved with recent projects for the global hospitality and restaurant collection; Nobu, Rustic Canyon Restaurant Group, and eco-luxury hotelier Whitepod Resorts SA.

Each Zen Pod references forms from the natural world and borrows materials, such as wood, to reflect the surrounding ecosystem. Image credit: Delphine Burtin

Each Zen Pod references forms from the natural world and borrows materials, such as wood, to reflect the surrounding ecosystem. Image credit: Delphine Burtin

The international practice – with studios located in Los Angeles, California and Lausanne, Switzerland – is defining modern hospitality. “We work with clients whose ethoses align with ours,” says founder David Montalba, FAIA, SIA, who was the design architect for the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT)/Bradley West Interiors and Terminal 6 at Los Angeles International Airport.

For Nuno Ravara, who heads Montalba Architects’ Lausanne studio, the work is about scaling the human experience. As he notes, “Whether our commission is an urban oasis, a destination hotel or a high-energy dining environment, we approach our work from the standpoint of not only creating sublimely simple backdrops for human activities but also providing the intangible – a sense of wellness, connectedness and completeness of experience.”

Nobu Hotel Palo Alto

This boutique property brings Nobu’s design DNA of modern luxury, infused with Montalba Architects’ effortlessly chic aesthetic, to the heart of Silicon Valley. Set to be fully operational in 2020 in a fully renovated, 4,645 m2, 8-storey building in downtown Palo Alto, Nobu Palo Alto Hotel features 73 guest rooms, including 17 suites (between the 7th and 8th floors) and honours the traditional Japanese Ryokan offering freestanding teak soaking tubs and slatted wall panelling. The recently opened, signature restaurant, featuring a wood-slated ceiling and wood-panelled walls punctuated by Japanese lantern-evoking elements, engages with its surroundings with an outdoor dining area defined by sculptural plantings.

Birdie G’s

Located in Santa Monica’s historic Bergamot Station campus, and housed within the former Santa Monica Museum of Art space, this highly-anticipated neighbourhood restaurant from Rustic Canyon Family in partnership with James Beard-nominated chef and owner Jeremy Fox, juxtaposes the inherent rawness of the 5 000 sf (465 m²), steel-beamed industrial shell with delicate details and a warm materials palette of Walnut wood, brass and hues of blue.

Whitepod Hotel

Eighteen individual Pod suites comprise the Whitepod eco-resort, located in the Swiss Alps. Each geodesic dome features prefabricated elements, such as a platform, dome and bathbox. Inside, curved wooden walls delineate the recessed sleeping area surrounded by a tatami mat from the raised bath area. The Pod Suite features in an exhibition of short-listed international projects for the World Interiors News Awards 2019 on October 24 in London, UK.