Restaurant Design of the Year
Winner: Mayahuel, Houston
- Owner: Culinary Khancepts, in partnership with Chef Luis Robledo Richards, Houston
- Developer: Culinary Khancepts, Houston
- Branding + Concept Design: Chef Luis Robledo Richards (Houston) and Sam Alazraki, Cantera Estudio, Mexico City
- Interior Design: Laura Loreman, Houston
- General Contractor: Star Commercial Construction, Houston
- Procurement Agent: Culinary Khancepts and Rebees, Dallas
Drawing inspiration from the Aztec goddess Mayahuel, rd+d’s first-ever Restaurant Design of the Year, embodies transformation, resilience, and connection. Every design detail reflects a dialogue between heritage and modernity, the same dialogue that appears in the restaurant’s menu, where refined, modern Mexican cuisine focuses on art and craft.
One of the team’s key challenges was working within the restaurant’s limited footprint while meeting the Chef and Partner Luis Robledo Richards’ desire for an open kitchen concept in the 5,500-square-foot space. The design leveraged the space’s double-height ceilings and added a mezzanine level to create multiple seating zones and to aid with storage. Rather than an open kitchen or chef’s counter, a residential-style kitchen sits directly in the dining room, evoking the feeling of being invited into a friend’s home where the stove is never far from the table.
The judges were blown away by the project. “There are so many thoughtful details in this,” said one. “There’s no barriers, and yet you understand the zones.” another said, “I’ve never seen such a clean and open space.” Finally, they felt that “sitting at the kitchen table would be an awesome experience! And even the pot filler looks like a designed piece!”
Images courtesy of Brian Kennedy — Houston
