Her Name Was Carmen







Type: Hospitality
Status: Built
Location: Manhattan, NY
Size: 6,000 sf
Located in Soho, NY, the commission of the restaurant was to create a restaurant that takes cues from Latin American modernism and the art movement of the 50s in the region. Custom banquettes, bold colors and wall coverings, and eccentric accents create an intimate yet playful experience for visitors.
As you enter the restaurant, you are faced by a hanging garden above the waiting/host area which connects to the basement lounge.
The main space is defined by a linear table and banquette layout, complimented by graphic material elements. The concrete tiles, referencing those found in historic Spanish colonial homes, are used to produce a striking floor pattern which is then reflected at the ceiling level. The deep blue banquettes is translated to the plaster gradient on the walls and stands in juxtaposition to the custom terrazzo tables.
The lounge space, intended for post-dinner drinks and dancing, offers a more playful environment with a transformable DJ booth, a “que cool” neon sign, and whimsical parrots populating the walls.