Mexico is known for its rich culture, ancient ruins, dazzling beaches, incredible cuisine, dry expanses of cacti lands, vivid hues, and its unique Architectural language. When we sat down to designing this restaurant, we sure that we wanted to capture the soul of Mexico while trying to encapsulate some of its elements and brazenness. We have intentionally not gone down the route of street art and strong pops of vivid colours instead we have tried to see Mexico through our lens and what it stands for.
Project Name: Pompa
Studio Name: The Orange Lane
Location: Mumbai
Size: 4000 sq. feet
Design firm: The Orange Lane
Principal Designer: Shabnam Gupta
Photography Credits: Pulkit Sehgal
The staircase leading to the restaurant gives you the vibe of a party scene that the Mexicans are known for whilst living amid nature. A striking red vertical slats entry with printed and colourful tiles splashed on either side of the staircase and mirror work on the riser of the staircase lead up to a glamorous stairway. The foyer and the landing space has a deep emerald green ceramic flooring with walls having white and sage green mouldings, against which lies a huge wicker tamarind shaped bench as a showstopper and a tiny window with stain glass work importing you into the theme of Mexico. The area around is created as sort of a photo booth for visitors to relax back and pose against the captivating “Pompa” signage. The reception area has stained glass windows with cacti and the setting moon in the terrain and mountains in the background against actual cactus in deep blue ceramic pots transporting you into the lands of Mexico.
A cluster of masks wearing floral crowns dominate the opposite wall as a tribute to the ancestral history and traditions of this vivid country. Against the wall stands the hostess desks, strips and tassels dangling at the bottom for a glamourous bohemian vibe. Both the bathrooms are designed with a focus on creating a cohesive and connected spatial experience. The use of red tiles, particularly those with printed patterns, serves as a prominent highlighter within the overall design scheme. Additionally, the basin is seamlessly integrated into a concave red tile, creating a distinctive and visually appealing feature. Positioned strategically in front of a full-length slanted mirror, this design choice not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the space but also contributes to a sense of continuity and unity throughout the entire bathroom.
The entire restaurant has terracotta flooring which is reminiscent of the earthy villas of Mexico. We have classic half height white panelled walls that are a distinct feature in the upper crust of Mexican homes. A gorgeous shade of sage green envelopes the entire skin of the walls and ceiling. On one side we’ve got printed sofas and Mexican blankets , also known as serapes or sarapes, these vibrant and iconic textiles hold a rich cultural significance in Mexico.
These blankets typically include stripes, diamonds, and zigzag patterns, reflecting the indigenous heritage and cultural diversity of Mexico. The colour combinations used in these blankets are eye-catching and symbolic, representing various elements of nature and indigenous traditions which we have used as wall art while on the other end we’ve got beautiful natural light streaming in through muslin cloth curtains. The sofa and high-top seatings are in strong bold colours of fabric with tassels details in the borders adding a touch of glam. The hanging lights made from fabric and tassel detail adds a touch of elegance and ornamental flair to the fixture are housed in a scattered format to match the furniture style throughout the space.
The bar area is the star of the whole space has a huge wooden circular tree like structure, lighted well from all fins, creating an inviting and captivating ambiance and is housed within a seamless circular bar counter with stub lights from all sides, ensuring the bar is well-lit from various angles.
The bar facia is cladded in red tile and is inwardly-curved shape, which can create a distinctive and visually interesting texture with brass footrest. The sofa seating on an elevated emerald green flooring evokes a sense of richness and finesse and is backed with earthen urns and old green bottles in the background bringing rustic and timeless quality to the space, infusing it with a sense of history and character. Vintage terracotta pots dot the spaces, bringing Mexico’s pottery tradition to Mumbai. The entire space is balanced with greens and miniature pots of succulents and creepers. Colourful heritage windows form the façade with beautiful Mexican architecture in strong colours of green, off white and scallop styled curtain in deep red to filter the natural lights inside.
“Mexican” is envisioned as a vibrant, visually immersive restaurant that not only pays homage to traditional Mexican aesthetics but also embraces modern design elements. The design aims to transport patrons to the heart of Mexico through its captivating and culturally rich interior design.
