Outdoor Patio Dining with Waterfront View
Located in Vallejo, California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) offers undergraduate degrees for 1,000 students in fields such as engineering, global logistics, and oceanography. Challenges resulting from the pandemic spurred the development of Marketplace, a new food store and dining center featuring an adjoining 1,650-square-foot exterior patio with a beautiful view of the Carquinez Strait. Designed to provide ample outdoor seating, the waterfront patio is intended to allow cadets the opportunity to enjoy a meal and hold events or other reserved activities overlooking the water.
Primary concerns for this project centered on corrosion resistance and structural longevity due to the harsh environment of its bayshore location, resulting in careful selection of materials and installation approach. All hardware and fasteners were stainless steel and all exposed steel was hot-dipped galvanized. This zinc-iron immersion process provides a robust coating that becomes an integral part of the steel for increased resistance to corrosion. All welds were continuous to seal out moisture.
Ipe was selected for all wood planks. Ipe, a dense tropical species from Brazil, is one of the strongest, longest-lasting hardwoods on Earth and is naturally resistant to decay. Tight-grained and virtually knot-free, this beautiful brownish-red timber will maintain structural integrity for more than 50 years, gracefully fading to a soft silvery patina over time.
Stunning waterfront views called for plenty of glass for visibility without compromising safety and durability. Fully tempered, ⅜” glass panels were custom-sized for each individual opening to ensure a perfect fit. The Crusader team worked closely with the general contractor to ensure that post placement and component heights were precise. Panels were secured using CRL Taper-Loc®, an innovative, frameless, dry-glaze installation system designed for both performance – durability, strength, and safety – and a clean, high-end aesthetic with improved sightlines.
Construction of the $1.5M Marketplace project was funded by Sodexo, a facilities management and food services company under contract to provide an affordable, flexible dining program for Cal Maritime cadets. Sodexo collaborated with various stakeholders on and off campus to develop a dynamic resource for the region. As planned, Marketplace was also opened to the public to serve as an additional grocery shopping resource and unique dining experience for members of the Vallejo community.
Corrosion Resistance for Seaside Environment
Related Projects
Fremont Downtown Event Center Plaza
Wave of Precision: Complex Architectural Structure for Outdoor Community StagePart of a multi-phased master plan for the City of Fremont, the Downtown Event Center and Plaza consists of a 13,400-square-foot community center and one-acre plaza located on the corner of...
Yerba Buena Island Development
Building Exceptional Community ParksKnown for open, green spaces and spectacular beachfront views, Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island are located halfway between San Francisco and the East Bay. Connected by a causeway, Yerba Buena is a natural island, and Treasure...
Gilman Street Overcrossing
Improving Safety and EfficiencyThe Gilman Street intersection in Berkeley was widely known as the most dysfunctional intersection in the country. Drivers reported difficulty with merging and determining right-of-way on the confusing, congested roadway which had...