Little Italy Piazza
Single Source Solution Adds Old-World Charm to Piazza and Panache to Rooftops
Every Project Starts with a Purpose
In 2014, an ambitious, four-year project was launched to create a public space that would activate the Little Italy area of San Diego near the waterfront of the San Diego Bay. The Piazza della Famiglia was envisioned as a community gathering space inspired by traditional Italian piazzas that could provide a welcoming backdrop to host community concerts, farmers’ markets, cultural events, and more. Two upscale apartment buildings on either side of the piazza, Vici and Amo, would create an environment where residents could see the Bay from their rooftops plus enjoy a vibrant community and retail scene at ground-level. Developer HG Fenton Company owns the property, and the Little Italy Association maintains it. Both were highly involved in the design process, along with the City of San Diego.
The project entailed closing streets to traffic in a two-block parcel of the cultural heart of San Diego’s Little Italy. A subterranean parking garage was constructed, with the two apartment buildings and the plaza built on top of it. The weight and depth of the pavers and base material had to be calculated into the design of the garage. “Originally, we discussed using other materials, but we had concerns with the durability,” explains Marc Moody, principal of GMP Landscape Architecture and Planning.
As the same time, the project team was looking to create elegant rooftop plazas on the adjacent apartment buildings. To meet engineering specifications, rooftop pavers needed to be 22 lbs. per sq. ft. or less. The originally specified paver was 24 lbs. per sq. ft., requiring a search for alternatives.
The Solution
Solving for Style, Function, and Durability
Belgard provided a single-source solution for both the rooftop plazas and the piazza below, allowing the design team to address differing structural and aesthetic needs with a cohesive material strategy.
“As the design of the parking garage below became more solidified, the depth of the lid of the garage in relationship to the finished surface of the plaza made pavers on a leveling base the most functional choice,” said Moody. “Belgard had the large scale and greatest color selection.”
For the piazza, a combination of Mega-Lafitt® Grana pavers was selected, including the addition of a large square piece to the standard three-piece system. The blend consisted of 75 percent Bella Blend and 25 percent Montecito Blend. The pavers were tumbled to create the worn character of traditional Italian village piazzas. “The pavers hide stains and traffic wear really well and look aged without appearing beat up,” Moody added.
Because the parking garage slopes toward the bay, proper drainage was critical, and the surface also needed to accommodate delivery vehicle loads. Techniseal® polymeric sand and sealer were used to minimize water infiltration.
“Installation went smoothly; we installed a channel drain along the south and west edges, and the surface slopes in that direction so rainwater flows to the drains and into the sewer,” said Kiernan Short of Modern West, who installed the piazza pavers over a three-week period.
For the apartment rooftops, the plaza decks include BBQ islands, seating areas, small dog parks and other amenities overlooking the bay. Belgard Westile® Gibraltar Plaza Pavers were selected and installed on Bison pedestals. These high-density concrete pavers provide a minimum compressive strength of 8,000 psi, delivering a durable yet refined rooftop surface. Elevated on high-density polypropylene pedestals, the system allows for uniform spacing, proper drainage and long-term performance.
The Result
A Lasting Impression:
The Final Transformation
“The resulting design and space created by the partnership of HG Fenton, Little Italy Association, the City of San Diego, Civic San Diego, AO Architects, GMP Landscape, the community, and others has not only achieved the vision, but has exceeded the original goals in so many ways,” says Michael Heinrich, principal, of AO Architects.
“More than just a space to gather, the Piazza della Famiglia has become the physical and cultural heart of the community that draws people in, encourages interaction, delivers an elusive urban energy, and provides a positive sense of well-being.” -Michael Heinrich, Principal of AO Architects
“It definitely met the design intent and after about a year of use, we’ve had no drainage or maintenance issues,” adds Moody.
PLAN + DESIGN
Smarter Planning. Better Design.
Belgard isn’t just here to provide the product—we’re your partner in planning and design. From first ideas to final layout, we make it easy to bring your outdoor vision to life.
Outdoor Living Awaits
Let’s build something beautiful together
Outdoor living solutions for homeowners, contractors, and designers.
We’ll listen to your needs, help identify the right products and design approach, and guide you toward a tailored solution that brings your outdoor vision to life.