Named after the informal and communal style of family-owned eateries found across Mexico, A-nrd wanted to create a metaphorical home-away-from-home for Lastra, where local inspired cuisines and a convivial spirit combine with a contemporary twist.
Evolving some of the design cues and artistic collaborations which A-nrd brought to Lastra’s debut restaurant KOL, the London based multi-discipline studio delved back into their archive from a trip which took them from Mexico City to Oaxaca and the Yucatan. Pouring over photos detailing vernacular architecture, furniture from the streets and vintage shops and many artefacts, A-nrd looked to connect the dots and distill that Mexican essence into the concept for Fonda.
Taking inspiration from the Casonas of Mexico (traditional farmhouses) where everything revolves around the kitchen, the studio wanted to bring this homely, intimate feel to the new restaurant space. With a material palette which also borrows from the farmhouse kitchens, A-nrd have combined a rustic mix of textures, humble shapes and design details to create an honest and visually rich scheme for the new 450sqm space brought to life with subtle yet vibrant colour.
Upon entering Fonda from buzzy Heddon Street, guests can check-in and depart from the outside world before being transported through an amber glazed Kansa glass enclosure into a wonderland of craft and colour. Here, softly textured Bauwerk painted walls in a soft warm yellow hue, and a micro concrete floor set the tone. Known for their bespoke design, a custom welcome desk crafted from a rich cherry stained oak and Alpi veneer is surrounded by lush planting and offers guests a preview of what is to come.
Dividing the large L-shaped open-plan space, A-nrd created zones to provide guests with a new experience upon each visit. A custom oval shaped window table crafted from oak and stained black is inlaid with grey micro cement and makes a bold statement with bespoke accent chairs crafted by a local artisan upholstered in a blue graphic weave from Tibor. Overhead a large organic shaped pendant light by Lucia Ocejo at Crownworks Pottery illuminates the niche.
Glossy artisanal terracotta hued tiles from Solus which feature across bespoke tables, have been utilised on walls here, with walls in complementary shades of limewash. Décor celebrates authentic native Mexican arts and crafts and here in the niche, wooden totem sculptures from M.A Estudio are displayed and tell a story of indigenous communities and wood carving practices. They are just one of the many artworks which A-nrd curated for Fonda.
Leading on from the entrance is an impressive bespoke cocktail bar. Designed by A-nrd, a soft, muted pink limewashed façade and cherry stained oak counter with farmhouse detailing is juxtaposed by glossy textured cobalt blue tiles. An illuminated bespoke back bar of open shelving, also in a vivid splash of cobalt blue, is housed against painted brickwork and industrial steel columns left exposed in line with the studio’s ethos to valorise existing features as opposed to over building.
Visually balancing the bar, a long 8 seat booth designed by the studio is upholstered in a tactile apricot hued weave by Kirkby Design. Adorning the soft pink and yellow textured wall here is a bespoke creation from Mexican artist and studio friend Fernando Laposse. ‘Of Bugs and Buds’, consists of three patchwork organza panels dyed with natural red bug and bud pigments to create a translucent hanging; with the interplay of light, the panels appear to shift in tone to create a dynamic and ethereal feature that interacts with the room. Further seating is formed of small bespoke oak tables with an honest and simple form, some inlaid with matte terracotta hued tiles and all paired with dining chairs with wicker seats.
Flooding the rear of the space with natural light is a large skylight. A large bespoke communal table that can be joined together to seat 8 is located here and features further accent chairs designed by A-nrd which are again upholstered in a recycled textured weave from Kirkby Design. Decorating the nook, walls are partially clad with glossy rich burgundy tiles and a breadth of authentic arts and crafts including more wooden totems from M.A Estudio, pieces from Cooperativa 1050 and creations from Mexican artists Lørdag & Søndag crafted from Monstera root and wicker.
Here, the stairwell to the lower ground floor is also located and can’t be missed thanks to a large pink sloth by Laposse. ‘Wild Beast’ is a shaggy pink creation woven with agave fibre and natural dyes such as Achiote, Annatto and Pomegranate peels, all traditionally used by Oaxacan weavers.
Located within the left side of the main space is the open-air kitchen complete with comals – this is the heart of Fonda. It was important to A-nrd that every seat in the restaurant had a view to the kitchen to create a sense of connectivity and theatricality which was achieved by creating a fully exposed kitchen and pastry desk which flows directly into the cocktail bar.
The design language at play and materiality further borrows from the style of the Casonas. With a traditionally inspired farmhouse style façade and canopy, the kitchen features neutral toned ceramic tiles applied in a very honest and raw way with no trims. This humble and straightforward approach to the design mixes matte and gloss tile finishes alongside contrasting cobalt blue and tan tiles. This focal point and its theatricality evoke a feeling of warm hospitality and comfort. Around the space, several clay comels from Cooperativa 1050 are displayed.
Smaller bespoke bistro tables here seat 2, with custom booth seating lining the windows. The chunky and honest tropical timber frames feature green leather upholstered seat cushions by Crest Leather with a vibrant green striped woven backrest by JAB.
Here the bespoke tables are inlaid once again with tiles carrying on the design device across the entire space for a coherent and familiar scheme but seen here in a mixture of fresh matte and glossy green tones. Punctuating the booths, vintage wall lights sourced from Vinteriors with rippled amber glass shades add a soft illumination and cozy ambience. Further Lucia Ocejo clay pendant lights also hang across window tables. Decoration continues with a mix of lush planting and more arts and craft work.
Downstairs a continued use of pink limewash and ochre micro concrete extends the colour palette from ground floor down to lower level. Amber glazed walls and a niche featuring Monkey Chairs by Balsa lead into the cocktail bar. Painted in comforting rose limewash, the moody basement has a monochromatic aesthetic and features a graphic bar designed by the studio. The focal point of the space, with a red travertine countertop, its cherry pink glossy tiled façade features recessed geometric shapes finished in micro concrete. An illuminated back bar continues the use of simple graphic shapes and bar stools designed by the studio feature leather seat pads in a soft apricot hued by Crest Leather.
Across the floor space, seating features bespoke cherry-stained oak tables and further bespoke chairs in a rose-coloured leather. Lining the wall, comfortable sofa seating is upholstered in a rich Sumac coloured textural bouclé from Yarn Collective and is illuminated by further vintage wall lights. Decorating the space, further arts and crafts from Cooperativa 1050, woollen wall hangings from M.A Estudio and vintage painted wooden las mascaras from Los Otros, a Mexican collective who curate collections of folkloric masks representing characters from traditional tales and dances, adorn walls.
At the opposite end of the space, artisanal encaustic cement tiles from Bert & May clad walls in a vibrant and fun checkerboard of matte pink and white providing a statement back drop to illuminated Mexican clay ornaments from M.A Estudio.
In Fonda, A-nrd have created a vibrant and authentic tribute to Mexico for Lastra which tells a story of material and colour, traditional elements and contemporary style. With a palette of warm earthy tones and bold, lively hues, pottery, textiles, wood, and more, A-nrd have drawn on Mexican heritage and indigenous tradition to envision a global sensibility for the new opening.
Team:
Architects: A-NRD
Contractor: WFC
Photographer: David Cleveland
Materials Used:
Tiles: Solus, Bert and May
Glass: Kansa
Paint: Bauwerk
Upholstery: Kirkby Design, Yarn Collective, Crest Leather, Casamance, JAB, Tibor
Microcement: Ideal Work
Veneer: Alpi
Lighting: Vinterior and Crownworks Pottery
Furniture: William Austin, Hillcross furniture, Balsa
Blinds: Bridgewater Blinds
Bathrooms: Rowen & Wren, Lusso, Duplo
Ceramics: Saudara
