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The opulent Alila Marea Beach Resort, designed by interior designer Mark Zeff and created by architect Joseph Wong Design Associates. Embodies the idea of California sun, surf, and sand on the cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The 250,000-square-foot structure, which is situated on four seaside acres in the coastal community of Encinitas in Southern California, was designed to blend in with the natural landscape by using natural materials, local plants, and an emphasis on environmental sustainability.
Zeff, the founder of the multidisciplinary firm Markzeff Design with offices in Brooklyn. Emphasizes that “the interior design and architecture was created with purpose and intent.”
“Alila Marea was designed to be harmonious with the natural surroundings. Blending with the natural beauty and topography of the Encinitas bluff.”
In the build and design phases, he continues, “A soft environmental footprint was the mission. Design features representing nature and the surroundings were selected to blend with the environment.” “Concrete is an understatement of sophistication and style,” for instance, according to Zeff. “This organic product and coloring became part of the paintbrush.” Concrete walls also aid in maintaining temperature.
Reclaimed wood was incorporated into the design scheme, including for the wood sculpture front desk. And energy-efficient LED lighting systems were implemented using power-over-ethernet (POE) technology. Low-maintenance hard floor surfaces were also used throughout the resort, and more than 50,000 cubic yards of sand were added to South Ponto Beach surrounding the hotel during the construction phase. Resources are conserved in guestrooms thanks to occupancy sensors for the HVAC and lighting as well as water-saving devices. Additionally, rooftop solar panel systems pre-heat the building’s hot water and pool/whirlpool heating systems.
The three-story resort is built to take full use of the breathtaking views that surround it.
The hotel’s spread-out horizontal layout, which has been compared to a cruise ship design, places the lobby, coffee shop, and on-site spa on the ground floor. A gym, subdeck, pool, and hip, beach-themed pool bar Pocket are located on the second floor.
A ballroom and conference space are located on the top level; and the 117-seat Vaga Restaurant & Bar offers a menu made up of ingredients sourced locally and sustainably from nearby farms and waters. The 130 luxurious guest rooms reflect the coastal concept with their color and material palettes and feature special linens that are ecologically produced.
The striking central staircase, made of cast-in-place concrete treads and risers and white painted steel rods with LED lights twinkling on each level to create sunlight-like illumination, unifies the project.
Zeff drew inspiration from his passion for the ocean, marine life, surfing, and scuba diving for Alila Marea. And the staircase is a prime example. “One of the most amazing things about diving is when the sun shines down through the volume of water. The staircase feels like that,” he says.
Zeff elaborates on the sea’s effect on his designs, stating that “the ocean is not only the property’s main view. But it is also constantly present in the spaces, having inspired the use of natural textures, iconography.
In addition to experiencing the design and textures, the utilization of driftwood, pebble-like structures, and local art gives visitors a sense of being a part of the natural environment.
And just as Alila Marea blends in with its surroundings, the resort also makes a conscious decision to support its surroundings through partnerships and environmental initiatives that support the local community and economy. The Alila Marea Beach Resort could never be more at home than in this idyllic beachside setting in Encinitas. It is easygoing yet luxurious and high-design all at once.
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