Sessions By the Bay

Once an abandoned adult college in the Marina Gateway Plaza, Sessions by the Bay represents a complete transformation from a dilapidated and forgotten structure into San Diego County’s first legal cannabis consumption lounge and a vibrant new community hub contributing to the south bay’s flourishing development.

The design began with a simple yet powerful idea: to create a veil that would both conceal and reveal, reflecting the shift from the site’s neglected past to its new role as a place of gathering, connection, and wellness. The new perforated metal facade draws inspiration from the curves of the adjacent estuary, reinterpreting the natural landscape into a moire patterned skin. Using generative design tools and custom Dynamo scripts, the pattern iterates in scale and gradation, producing a dynamic play of light and shadow across the building surface. This secondary skin gives the structure a striking identity while signaling a welcoming new era for the site.

Inside, the lounge encourages social interaction and moments of relaxation, with lush interiors, ambient lighting, and intimate seating areas that foster a sense of community. The project reimagines cannabis consumption spaces as sophisticated, inclusive, and civic minded, a first of its kind in the region.

Beyond its architectural transformation, Sessions by the Bay revitalizes a long abandoned site, advancing the city’s goals of economic development and neighborhood reinvestment. It provides local jobs, activates a once vacant property, and draws visitors to the South Bay area.

Crafted with respect for materials and community, the facade was designed for durability, efficiency, and sustainability. Native and drought tolerant landscaping enhances the site’s connection to Paradise Marsh and supports ecological resilience.

Sessions by the Bay exemplifies the spirit of place making: memorable, functional, and deeply relevant to its time and context.