Casa Paladar

Over the years, the kitchen has evolved into a social and dynamic space, an environment where everyone feels comfortable, both those who cook and those who enjoy the food. We have long valued its functionality, but now we also appreciate its design, as we seek to make the most of this central hub where we gather to nourish ourselves, share, and accompany those who are doing the cooking.

Casa Paladar is a culinary venue where prominent figures from the global gastronomic scene, such as Daniela Soto-Innes, Elena Reygadas, Virgilio Martínez, and Julien Royer, among others, share their talent and creativity. It is located in the heart of Mexico City, on the ground floor of a 1960s building in the Condesa neighborhood.

The project is rooted in the rehabilitation of a space that, after several interventions, had lost its character and functionality. Restoring it to its original state was practically impossible and would have required more effort than necessary.

We envisioned a light and flexible space that could easily change its scale and completely detach the user from the surrounding structure and the external context to connect with the project’s main objective – socializing and the culinary experience.
On the façade, we redesigned the entrance, replacing the existing door with a stainless steel gate, a gesture that reinforces the concept from the moment you walk into the venue to the moment you leave – you are entering and exiting a live kitchen.

The renovation’s central aim was to create an intervention with a unique gesture that fully shrouded the space. The result is flexible enough to accommodate events of various scales and themes, whether it’s an intimate dinner for 15, a gathering of 45 people, a cocktail party, a celebration, or a press conference. Regardless of the event format, the space can be adapted to create an indoor or outdoor experience, depending on the weather conditions and the client’s needs.

To achieve this essential versatility and lightness, curtains were used as the project’s defining and enveloping element, multiplying the possibilities for transforming the venue’s different spaces.

In terms of materials, we opted for a simple and elegant approach. We chose a lightweight and subtly transparent fabric as the primary material, as it is complemented by the lush greenery of the interior courtyard and the green Tikal marble floors and benches. A clean and cool contrast was introduced in the kitchen, where the kitchen furniture, including tables and appliances, as well as the walls, are clad in stainless steel.

The custom furniture was designed in natural oak, a material that not only gives the space a timeless beauty, but also conveys a sense of warmth and durability that blends harmoniously into the project.

In conclusion, Casa Paladar embodies the architectural and interior design vision that transforms the kitchen into a versatile, welcoming, and elegant space, where functionality and aesthetics converge to offer a unique gastronomic experience.