This Mexican restaurant is a project that informs about the importance of introducing cultural aspects into spatial design narrative as a vital practice that transcends mere aesthetics, infusing spaces with a deeper sense of meaning, identity, and authenticity. Located in Ahmedabad, Tres Amigos is a 1500-square-foot Mexican restaurant that is designed by the firm Compartment S4. Originally a popular food truck, this culinary gem has transitioned into a brick-and-mortar establishment, seamlessly blending the casual charm of its origins with the sophistication of fine dining.
How can the integration of cultural elements in the design of spaces like Tres Amigos be balanced to ensure authenticity and respect for the culture being represented, while also catering to a diverse and potentially unfamiliar audience?
Editor’s Note: “This Mexican restaurant in Ahmedabad masterfully weaves together cultural richness and design elegance. A warm, inviting colour palette sets the tone, while plush furnishings, custom wall rugs, and exquisite lighting create an immersive experience. More than just a design, it offers each guest a journey through vibrant Mexican culture.” ~Simran Khare
This Mexican Restaurant Informs About The Importance of Culture | Compartment S4
The layout is organized into distinct zones, each catering to different dining preferences while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. Moreover, Compartment S4 approached the rectangular volume space with a thoughtful design strategy aimed at enhancing comfort and fostering a sense of community.
Upon entering, guests find a waiting area and a merchandising display on either side. Thus, offering a glimpse into the restaurant’s eclectic offerings. The booth seating area, designed for those seeking privacy, features wooden tabletops and earthy yellow upholstered benches. Thus, creating a cosy and convivial atmosphere.
Moving further, this section is flanked by custom-designed block-printed Mexican patterned textile scrolls/screens that extend towards the ceiling acting as a partition, adding an element of intimacy and seclusion. These motifs and patterns add a character of artistry to the otherwise plain collage of colors; also the firm’s signature touch.
At the heart of the restaurant lies the elongated community table, a cue taken from a simple idea of the food culture of communal dining in Ahmedabad. The central table, a highlight of the design, serves as a communal focal point and transforms into a vibrant grazing table during special events, further enhancing the cultural and social dining experience. Sofa seating flanks either side along the walls, and subtle motif decorations adorn the surfaces.
Paying homage to the Mexican heritage, three majestic 6-foot-tall handmade lamps inspired by desert cacti stand tall while the custom-designed skull rugs by Studio Arisaa, hanging on the walls, reinterpret the traditional skull motif, adding texture and colour against the otherwise sombre backdrop. Additionally, wooden hanging lights, crafted from disks and threads, evoke traditional craftsmanship.
The terracotta-tiled flooring, interspersed with greys, visually breaks the elongated volume of the space, distinguishing the main zone from the rest. Functionality meets aesthetics with strategically placed serving counters. These counters seamlessly blend into the space while ensuring efficient service.
At the other end, a live counter adds a dynamic element to the dining experience. Its backdrop of custom designed patterned tiles and a hanging glass canopy creates a lively focal point, with the color of the flooring continuing into the front area combined with a fluted glass panel on top. The ceiling, painted in a bold rustic red hue, remains exposed, adding to the raw and vibrant character of the restaurant.
Tres Amigos is more than just a restaurant; it is a cultural journey. Compartment S4’s design seamlessly integrates symbolism with contemporary aesthetics, creating a space that is vibrant, fun, and welcoming. The firm’s creative decisions have successfully transformed it into a culinary oasis that appeals to both families and the younger crowd, offering a truly immersive dining experience.
Fact File
Designed by: Compartment S4
Project Type: Restaurant / Bar / Cafe
Project Name: Tres Amigos
Location: Ahmedabad
Project Size: 1500 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Aman Amin, Kishan Shah, Manuni Patel, Krishna Parikh, Nishita Parmar, Prasik Chaudhari, Monik Shah & Vedanti Agarwal
Photograph Courtesy: Murtaza Gandhi
Client’s Name: Tres Amigos
Execution Team: Ashish Mistry and team
Text Credits: Shivangi Buch
Rugs: Studio Arisaa
Firm’s Website Link: Compartment S4
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Compartment S4
Firm’s Facebook Link: Compartment S4
For Similar Projects >> Restaurant Resembling A Conservatory
The Varnam Edit is a deeply personal 3,000 sq. ft. south Indian home design residence located in Adarsh Premia, Banashankari, Bangalore. It is designed by Swati Seraan and her team at By The Riverside for a remarkable mother-daughter duo, Mrs. Bhagya Devi and Ms. Kavya. This South Indian Home Design Is An Epitome Of Comfort […]
In a quiet pocket of Mumbai, within the city’s layered urban fabric, an ancestral home long remembered has found its way into the present. Architect Rajesh Atha Studio’s latest 1,200-square-foot residential project introduces Hindustani Hygge, a design philosophy that reinterprets ancestral spatial principles like the aangan and verandah for contemporary apartment living. Travel A Journey […]
In a world increasingly shaped by aesthetic algorithms and ephemeral trends, Nostalgia offers an introspective counterpoint with its humble design. Designed by Swathy Sivaraman of Storeyboard Design, this villa emerges not as a showpiece but as a soul-space — a dwelling where memory, material, and meaning intertwine with rare subtlety. Rather than chase spectacle, the […]
Studio KNest had the privilege of designing a divine house in the sacred town of Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh—an experience both humbling and awe-inspiring. Our client, a Krishna devotee from the USA, wanted to capture Vrindavan’s spiritual essence explicitly within his second home. We, too, thus shared the vision and have tried to portray the rich […]
“Cascade 301” draws its name from the natural, uninterrupted movement of water — a symbol of fluidity, grace, and continuous transition. Inspired by the fluid rhythm, this tranquil home embodies seamless spatial transitions and understated elegance. Designed as a sanctuary within the city, this multigenerational home balances private retreats with shared spaces, creating an atmosphere […]
A thoughtful exploration of how tradition can exist within the framework of minimalism, this residential apartment is where art doesn’t just beautify but defines the architecture itself. Guided by the core theme of ‘Indian traditional aesthetic with a minimal contemporary approach’, the interiors reflect a seamless integration of cultural depth and modern restraint in its […]
Designed for a young couple whose tastes gracefully oscillate between Indian ethnic charm and contemporary minimalism, this 3BHK duplex, adorned with patterns and textures, is as unique as it is intentional. Their offbeat hobbies and vibrant lifestyle called for thoughtful zoning and nuanced customisation — not just a house, but a home that mirrors their […]
Evara was born from a vision to create a home that feels like a pause button in the midst of an ever-moving city. Rooted in the calming essence of nature and the free-spirited character of bohemian style, this 1500 sq. ft. residence was imagined as a retreat. It is a place where every corner whispers […]
The entrance foyer sets the first impression of the Vastu home Chandradev residence, carefully designed to embody both warmth and sophistication. The palette here draws inspiration from earthy stone textures paired with subtle golden accents, creating a welcoming yet refined ambience. Italian marble with soft veining finishes the flooring, lending a sense of elegance while […]
Located in the heart of Hiranandani Estate, Thane, Samatvam is a thoughtfully designed 3BHK residence designed by ANS Design House. The home strikes a perfect balance between earthy elegance and modern sophistication. Envisioned by Principal Interior Designer Shivangi Shahane Phanse and Ar. Amit N. Phanse, the space seamlessly integrates natural elements with a modern aesthetic, creating […]