Already operating a local institution by the beach in Manly, Chica Bonita have opened a second Mexican restaurant located in the Sydney CBD, designed by Studio Gram. The seamless interior belies the fact that the designers were working on a tight budget, with restrictive conditions such as a heritage site and limited timeframe.

The interior is an exploration of traditional forms found within the Spanish colonial architecture of the Baja Peninsula, which extends across North-Western Mexico. The existing building presented an inherently residential style of architecture, with Studio Gram reworking it by using stepped massing, irregular finishes and clay-like details.

The space avoids the clichéd Mexican aesthetic of over the top, over-saturated colour palettes and cheesy knick-knacks. Rather, Studio Gram replaces them with the earthy tones found throughout the deserts of Mexico, opting for a minimal approach in the way of décor. It is a celebration of all things Mexico, while avoiding the literal, tourist-y interpretation of the concept.

Tiled surfaces inform the stepping details, represented in a multitude of ways as transition thresholds, balustrades, bar fascias, seating caps, bar displays, and propping shelves. A large communal table that stretches through the centre of the space encourages a convivial atmosphere, while booth seats are upholstered in rusty tones that match the tiling. A terrazzo-topped service counter, macramé wall hangings and indoor plants add further warmth and texture to the interior.

Meaning ‘pretty girl’ in Spanish, Chica Bonita’s restaurant offering combines Australian ingredients with classic Mexican food; Studio Gram implementing references to traditional Spanish architecture throughout a heritage Sydney building reflects this ethos.

[Images courtesy of Studio Gram. Photography by Toby Peet.]