Innovative Restaurant Designs in Mexico City: Blending Modernity with Nature
Innovative Restaurant Design in the Heart of Mexico City
The local studio OPA has designed Plumbago restaurant, embodying the Shed Garden style in the Cuauhtémoc neighborhood of Mexico City. The restaurant features the use of corrugated polycarbonate sheets as a key design element. This gives the building a touch of modernity and transparency.
Architectural Layout and Restaurant Space
Plumbago extends across a pair of gabled volumes. These structures are designed side by side on a narrow plot in the bustling Cuauhtémoc district. This space captures the interaction between multi-coloured buildings. It enhances the impression that the restaurant forms an “urban oasis” amidst the city.
Transparent Structure and Connection to Nature
OPA’s design focuses primarily on the first structure, which is notable for its large size and the use of corrugated polycarbonate. This material contributes to a sense of openness and transparency. The building includes a 70-square-metre dining area. This area is distinguished by its natural atmosphere, filled with light that creates a comfortable and serene environment.
Design Concept: Urban Greenhouse
According to the project designers, Rosalia Yost and Diego Menon, the goal was to create an “urban greenhouse” — a peaceful, light-filled space adorned with plants. This idea reflects their desire to establish a “tangible forest” in the heart of Mexico City. They aim to offer visitors a chance to escape the city’s noise and enjoy a natural ambiance.
Architectural Greenhouse Design Within the City
The transparent structure of Plumbago was designed to echo the concept of a greenhouse. It offers a sense of openness and integration with the surrounding environment. The larger structure features corrugated polycarbonate. This creates a unique experience for the restaurant’s visitors.
The Smaller Structure: A Functional Focus
In addition to the transparent building, a smaller gabled structure clad in galvanized steel was added. This structure accommodates the kitchen and service areas. It is cleverly integrated into the overall design, adding a practical dimension to the space.
Entrance Experience: Interaction with Natural Materials
Guests enter Plumbago through front doors made of polycarbonate. These open onto small concrete steps and a wall of decorative red brick. This entrance reflects the essence of the distinctive design. It blends modernity with traditional materials to offer a unique first impression from the moment visitors arrive.
Interior Experience: Intricate Brickwork with a Local Touch
Inside, the dining area and open-plan layout feature intricate brickwork spread across the concrete block walls. This craftsmanship was carefully executed using local masonry techniques, bringing diversity and uniqueness to every corner of the restaurant.
Adding “Personality” to the Space
According to Yuste and Mañón, the bricks were arranged in a mix of zigzag and coarse patterns. This gives each part of Plumbago its own character. This thoughtful distribution of design elements helps shape a rich, detail-filled environment that enhances the visual experience of the space.
Maximizing Natural Light
Sunlight filters through the transparent gabled roof, interrupted only by the thin wooden beams that support the structure in place. This feature enhances the sense of openness and allows natural light to flood the interior spaces. It creates a warm and welcoming environment for visitors.
Blurring the Line Between Street and Inner Terrace
According to Yuste and Mañón, their goal was to increase natural lighting and enhance visual transparency between the street and the inner terrace. This design element piques the curiosity of passersby and invites interaction with the space. It makes them feel directly connected to the environment.
Creating a Harmonious Atmosphere
Yuste and Mañón added: “The result is a room enclosed by light, creating a harmonious and unique ambiance.” This concept reflects the calm and relaxing environment the restaurant aims to offer its guests. It blends light and space in a seamless way.
Simplicity in Interior Design
Simple tables and chairs are arranged throughout the dining area. They are perfectly aligned with the core materials used in the restaurant’s construction. Surfaces are finished in wood and steel. These echo the materials of the structure itself and add a sense of understated elegance to the space.
The Impact of Plants on the Overall Ambience
A series of small planters and hanging baskets are spread across the open-plan layout. These natural elements bring both warmth and functionality to the space. They enhance its cozy atmosphere and reinforce the feeling of comfort and calm for all who enter.
Material Contrast and Design Harmony
“Our goal was to highlight the structure and emphasize the contrast between the industrial feel of steel and polycarbonate, and the natural texture of brick and greenery,” said Yuste and Mañón. This contrast creates an artistic balance between modern and organic elements. It enhances the overall visitor experience within Plumbago.
Diverse Experiences Offered
In addition to serving a Mediterranean-inspired menu, Plumbago also hosts community events, such as Nights Comedy Nights. These activities add a vibrant, social dimension to the venue. They transform it into more than just a restaurant — it becomes a hub for cultural and recreational experiences.
Use of Polycarbonate in Interior Design
Elsewhere in Mexico City, polycarbonate also appears in the interior design of a bubble tea shop recently created by the local studio MYT+GLVDK. This transparent material has become part of the modern design language. It enhances the interaction between interior spaces and their surrounding environments.
An Industrial-Style Restaurant in Polanco
In a similar vein, MYT+GLVDK recently designed an industrial-style restaurant in the city’s Polanco neighborhood. The project reflects a contemporary spirit through the use of industrial materials like steel and polycarbonate. This gives the space a modern and revitalised atmosphere.
