Akarstudios’ design for the Novecientos Grados by Tony Hawk restaurant and bar will become a focal point of the new Terminal-1 expansion project when it debuts at the San Diego Airport in September 2025. AREAS US is developing the project in collaboration with Tony Hawk and celebrity chef Claudette Zepeda.

As a vital component of the new terminal structure, the proposed restaurant and bar space will occupy approximately 5,000 square feet in the departures section of the new terminal wing.Comprising an island bar, a tarmac-facing dining space, and an outdoor patio, the design of the flagship food and beverage venue draws inspiration from the urban skateboard parks and the historic quarter of San Diego. While the distinct spaces of the restaurant will be interconnected and flow into one another, they will retain their individual design character.

The bar’s architectural design is conceived as a sculptural form incorporating a series of sweeping ramps covered with colorful artwork hovering above a cantilevered steel canopy, which will develop the unique visual identity of this place. The front face of the bar will be formed by illuminated glass panels imprinted with vibrant Mexican embroidery patterns, adding a heightened sense of connection with the city’s historic Old Town district.

The double-height dining space will utilize the terminal’s tall glazing to enable transparency to the exterior. It will have a suspended wood trellis and a canopy structure to create an intimate atmosphere for the guests. Colorful skateboards will be mounted to the canopy ceiling to add additional points of visual interest.

The outdoor terrace will be visible from the main bar, making it visually connected to the interior spaces. A fabric canopy with festive string lights and low-slung seating will create a desirable patio seating space affording distant views of the city’s skyline from the rooftop location.

Retail and self-ordering stations with customized artwork will be positioned within the restaurant space, enabling visible connectivity and enhancing the ordering process.

The design details include blackened steel beams and posts, imprinted wood panels, colorful skateboards, concrete pendants, laminated glass panels and seating with mix of finishes, alongside materials such as textured fabrics, concrete finishes, and skate ramp panels.

Akar studios also created the branding and logo design.