Reviving the Golden Age: Puntarena Virreyes

Restaurant Design Inspired by Mexico's 50s-60s Contemporary Architecture

The project is situated within a renovated structure, originally crafted by Vladimir Kaspé, a pioneer of Mexico's Contemporary Architecture. The design draws inspiration from Kaspé's work and the architecture of the 50s-60s era. The goal was to create a dialogue between the existing structure and the interior design. This conversation is evident in the geometry of the circular wooden false ceiling, which originates from the center of the building's round patio, once helicoidal car ramps designed by Kaspé. The Venetian tiled wall panel, inspired by Kaspé's drawings, is another testament to this dialogue.

The uniqueness of the project lies in its materiality and the custom-designed elements. Terrazo, Venetian tile, wood, brass, and blackened steel were used, each contributing to the identity of the project. The light fixtures, handcrafted by artisans using the glassblowing technique, add a unique touch to the space. The complexity of the geometry lent itself to create distinctive design elements, resulting in a harmonious and dynamic interior design.

The realization of the design involved a mix of traditional and modern techniques. Handcrafted glass blown light fixtures, custom-designed light fixture boxes, and semi-circled white terrazo bars built on-site are some of the unique elements. A number of vintage decorative items were also sourced to enhance the space, and all furniture was custom-designed and manufactured.

The restaurant's complex geometry offers an interesting spatial flow, breaking the space into various areas such as the Lounge-Bar, Main Dining Room, Private Dining Room, and Terraces. The operation of the restaurant responds to the complexity of these areas. The design project, which started in October 2015, was completed in October 2016 in Mexico City.

The design faced several challenges, including adapting the operational program to the constrained space geometry and creating intimate spaces within a large open area. The aesthetic challenge was to create a new design language within the parameters of Mexico's 50s-60s Contemporary Architecture. The manufacturing challenge was to maintain consistent quality, as many elements were handcrafted.

Puntarena Virreyes has been recognized for its innovative design and was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2017. This award is given to designs that showcase outstanding expertise, innovation, and a remarkable level of excellence.