Platinum Winner of the International Architecture & Design Awards 2026
Wildland
Commercial & Retail Interior Design
Completed / Built / Professional Category
Architect / Designer:
Bells + Whistles
Studio:
Bells + Whistles
Design Team:
Barbara Rourke: Co-Founder + Creative Director
Jason St John: Co-Founder + Creative Director
Copyright:
Gage Forster
Country:
United States
Housed in the original 1970’s Morey Boogie Boards factory, Wildland’s physical space is vast and sun-drenched, borrowing hues from the natural environment. In a rigorous process that played out over three years, everything but the cinderblock walls of the building was custom made to fit Wildland’s unique blend of woodsy comfort and coastal style. Walking through a patio flanked by two live oak trees, guests are drawn into the bustling action of the restaurant, with views of the bakery behind a long counter and pastry cases, a custom beige Mugnaini wood-fired oven anchored in the open kitchen, and a walk-up bar centered in the dining room. Sprawling floor-to-ceiling windows draw natural light into a warm space with rough concrete floors, handcrafted terra cotta tiles installed without grout and white rift oak millwork. Custom touches include textured Venetian plaster walls by San Diego-based plaster artist Sasha Seyb and a 10-foot painted tapestry of a desert landscape by Tyler Hays. The effect is one of constant discovery, allowing guests to have a unique spatial experience each time they visit Wildland, in a manner that mirrors the restaurant’s dynamic menu.
Bells + Whistles
Bells + Whistles is a Southern California based interior design studio specializing in hospitality and restaurant environments. Founded in 2000, the studio’s principals lead a multidisciplinary team that has designed many of Southern California’s most celebrated spaces. Originating as a design-build firm, Bells + Whistles honed its craft through hands-on fabrication in wood, steel, and interiors before evolving into a full-service design studio. Guided by the belief that everything should be bespoke and never derivative, the studio delivers distinctive, one-of-a-kind experiences. Its award-winning portfolio includes multiple Michelin-starred restaurants and an extensive roster of loyal, word-of-mouth clients.
