Malibu’s Premier Sushi Restaurant Features Stormwater Sustainability

Introduction

Overlooking one of California’s most famous beaches, Nobu has become a model for contemporary restaurant design, service, and cuisine that lives up to its demanding relationship with the sea. Although Nobu is now an operating success, the developers of Malibu California’s marquee restaurant had some unique challenges to address.

Goals

Stormwater hazards impact all water bodies, and our coastlines are typically the last line of defense to prevent plastics, trash, and other pollutants from contaminating these waters and harming wildlife; so there is a significant opportunity to enhance stormwater treatment and protect the ocean.

On California’s coast, the densely populated county of Los Angeles produces many hazards that enter our storm drains every day. But the Nobu property is no different and pointedly positioned to help address these hazards and act as stewards of the very resource that provides Nobu with quality fish every day.

Beyond the environmental concerns, Nobu is set on some of the most valuable square footage in the world. And maximizing space and efficiency was a top priority.

Solution

The Malibu restaurant site integrated two Modular Wetlands Linear units. The Modular Wetlands is a stormwater biofilter uniquely designed to save land and replicate natural processes to remove a variety of pollutants from stormwater runoff. Some of those pollutants include fine TSS, bacteria, oils & grease, plastics, trash, heavy metals, and harmful nutrients like nitrate and phosphorus – that are known to overwhelm oxygen levels and devastate fish populations. Given the value of the coastal real estate in Southern California, Nobu had an enormous incentive to maximize land usage and save space. Above ground bioretention systems have a singular surface area, and typically occupy an average of 1,795 square feet of space (per impervious acre). In comparison, the Modular Wetlands Linear is submerged, and takes up a mere 63 square feet. When those estimates are applied to the Nobu site plan, the comparisons are impressive. The twin Modular Wetlands saved an estimated 3,464 square feet, representing roughly $3 million dollars of Malibu real estate value, plus returns on parking revenue.