Located in Querétaro, Mexico, Sōko is a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant that reinterprets the industrial character of its barrel-vaulted warehouse through a refined, minimalist language. The name—derived from the Japanese word sōko, meaning “warehouse”—honors the building’s origins.
Designed by CAAM, Sōko uses brick, concrete, and metal as defining materials, preserving the existing structure while introducing precise interventions that balance tradition and modernity.
Entry is through a landscaped garden, where brick walls buffer the dining area from the street. Reflections of trees on water surfaces soften the transition, setting a contemplative tone that continues indoors.
At the center, a suspended planter spans the warehouse on trapezoidal concrete brackets, defining circulation and functioning as both decorative feature and technical element for ventilation and lighting.
Sustainability and conservation
The project prioritises conservation over replacement. Original structural and material elements, including perimeter concrete and brick walls, were retained to minimise demolition waste and preserve embodied carbon.
A new brick band around the patio extends the material palette with continuity and economy. Locally sourced stone and regional vegetation strengthen ecological and cultural ties to Querétaro while reducing transport-related emissions.
The suspended planter embodies functional and environmental efficiency. Made from repurposed on-site steel plates, it avoids new material use while integrating smoke extraction and lighting. This illustrates how sustainability can be embedded within architectural expression.
Material expression
Existing warehouse materials were preserved and complemented with wood in furniture and detailing. Soft lighting and crafted accents reinforce natural finishes. The balance of industrial texture and minimalism creates a contemporary environment that retains the essence of Japanese tradition.
Selective reuse and local sourcing shape the project’s approach. Existing concrete floors were kept, and the suspended steel planter gives new life to materials already on-site.
Locally quarried stone was used for new elements, complementing existing textures and reducing transport emissions. Finishes combine durable materials such as cement, timber, and mineral coatings, balancing performance with longevity.
Adaptive reuse and circular design
Flexibility underpins the design ethos. The open-plan warehouse accommodates evolving configurations, while pergolas and shading elements can be added or removed as needed.
The modular planter suspended on concrete brackets was designed for long-term adaptability, allowing disassembly or reconfiguration. These strategies align with circular design principles, extending the building’s lifespan and resilience to changing use.
