Project Mexická was initiated by the Together gastro alliance. Its co-owner, David Petřík, considers Asia, Italy, and Mexico to be the biggest players on the world gastronomic scene, so adding Mexico to their portfolio was only a matter of time. The investor's brief was to create a monumental space in Prague offering not only Central American cuisine, but also an experience of its culture as such. From the beginning, the main idea was to mix an open kitchen, large wood-fired ovens, and a noisy Mexican hacienda. Mexická was to become Together's largest venture.
What is unique about the entire restaurant is its concept. The very fact that we are building two floors of galleries with a central courtyard into the elevated space of the former Holešovice brewery is exceptional enough, and when we add to that a multi-armed staircase illuminated with gold and sparkling with references to the history of Mexico during the Mayan era, it is clear that guests are in for an architecturally unusual experience.
Another unusual and interesting feature is the blending of the restaurant space with the kitchen, where tortillas are baked, tacos are prepared, and dishes are grilled and cooked in a wood-fired oven right before the guests' eyes. Ceviche is prepared in the fish tank section, with the individual ingredients almost within reach. The kitchen, like the large cocktail bar upstairs, has an authentic design and material solution, including a beverage display case that extends over the bar to another gallery.
The galleries are supported by columns covered with stone reliefs featuring Mayan pictographic motifs, which feature original alphabet characters created exclusively for the Mexican restaurant by graphic designer Petr Štěpán in collaboration with the architects and sculptors.
The Latin American atmosphere is emphasized by a combination of references to historical civilizations that are an integral part of Mexican culture, perhaps even the colonial spirit, in the monumental symmetry of the space and the famously raw atmosphere of Mexican streets, which are primarily functional and decorated only as time has allowed.
Structure and Materials
The newly built galleries consist of a steel support frame made of solid profiles in turquoise blue and walkable oak planks. The upper bridge of the central staircase platform seems to levitate in space, as the glass floor is supported only by subtle metal profiles on two circular columns. The impression of airiness is completed by black steel mesh replacing the railing.
The material and visual design of the stair treads are particularly unique. To achieve the desired effect, they are composed of individual milled boards that are screwed together, and the entire tread is then poured with epoxy resin mixed with "gold" flakes. The individual steps are connected to each other with screws and fitted with walkable glass. Spot lighting then illuminates the entire staircase, making it the dominant feature of the otherwise monochromatic interior.
Team:
Architects: 20–20–ARCHITEKTI
Authors: Kristina Sudreová, Zdeněk Rychtařík, Václav Červenka, František Vorel, Lukáš Novák
Graphic design: superlative.works
Construction company: INTEKO Sedlec
Sculptor and relief work: Sochařská pohotovost
Design and realization of wall art: David Hřivňacký
Joinery – staircase: Dřevona Lovčice
Photographer: BoysPlayNice
Materials Used:
steel HEB profiles columns – gallery support system and staircase
solid oak planks – gallery flooring
terrazzo with marble mosaic – ground floor flooring
laser-cut chipboard panels encased in epoxy with gold foil – custom-designed staircase
epoxy-encased beans, corn, and peppers – tabletops
wooden slats combined with veneered panels – tabletops
leather – benches and upholstered chairs
glass – platforms on steel structures, shelves
Roman cement – cast reliefs on columns
stainless steel mesh - railing
Customized lighting: Cora Jičín
Lightning: Light Concept
Locksmithing constructions: Cubis Metal
Steel net railing: Carl Stahl
Gastronomy equipment: Gastroart
Terrazzo floor: Teraco Lité
Wood-fired oven and grill: Krby Urban
windows — Značková okna
