█ domu
orlando, fl : [2019]
The restaurant program required a dining area that is distinctly separated from a bar area. This prompted us to explore materials that would provide a positive separation avoid disjointing the adjacent spaces. We looked to a perforated clay block material which was at once solid yet open. While typically associated with mid-century architecture, the blocks first saw use in the 1930s as a way to transition from building to yard— a way to mitigate interior architecture with exterior space. Its ubiquitous use in tropical climates ensured enclosure without sacrificing ventilation and light. The clay blocks which we sourced from artisans in Mexico are tactile and richly saturated. The ancient and humble material provided a fascinating springboard which inspired the whole of the approach to the interior.
The interior is informed by a warm and natural, earthy palette; walls, shelving and counters are constructed from the same decorative clay block, which along with concrete terrazzo counter tops emphasizes the versatility of the material. A standalone block wall conveys gravitas and lightness while serving as the backdrop to the U-shaped bar. Patterned diffuse sunlight is filtered through the wall into the open dining space beyond.
Brick pavers partially wrap walls and the reception counter which echo the materiality and color of the clay breeze blocks. Walls and ceilings are rendered in a similar rose-hued tone. These subtle tonal and textural shifts lend to a saturated space that feels harmonious and welcoming. Green foliage sits in sharp contract to the warm orange tone of the modular bricks, reinforcing the blending of interior and exterior spaces. Furnishings finished in light wood tones compliment the natural feel of interior space while echoing the geometric pattern of the porous clay blocks.