Restaurante Buda: Asian Tradition and Materiality in Querétaro

Restaurante Buda, designed by Estudio Claudia Ornelas, opens near Los Arcos de Querétaro, Mexico. The project blends Zen philosophy with Oaxacan clay and charred wood to create an urban refuge. The entrance follows the Japanese Genkan concept, transitioning from the busy avenue into a semicircular vestibule with chestnut wood walls, wine-colored hammered concrete floors, and waxed silk banners. A seven-meter-high lattice facade, made from artisanal bricks from Oaxaca, echoes the colors of the nearby aqueduct. The main dining area features a central bar with a DJ booth, Yakisugi charred wood partitions, bejuco weavings, David Pompa lighting, and six dragon-shaped woven pieces suspended from the ceiling. A hidden speakeasy, accessible from inside or via a separate steel door, offers a contrasting atmosphere with metallic Buddhas and a sake bar with quartzite counters and brass accents. The project is featured in Glocal Design Magazine's 89th edition, "Visionarias del espacio," which profiles 15 female architects and interior designers, with covers by Prince Láuder and Jimena Estíbaliz.