Buena Onda

Buena Onda
© Michael Moran

BUENA ONDA

Core Architecture + Design

MEP ENGINEER
Hpe Group LLC

MANUFACTURERS
Emeco, Siesta, Woodgoods

FOOD SERVICE CONSULTANT
Feustel Foodservice Design LLC

MILLWORK
Meline Woodworking Inc & Atreus Works

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Allison Cooke, Hilary Miners

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Cvm Next Construction

BRANDING AND LOGO
Weholden

GRAPHIC AND MENU DESIGN
Seth Design Group

EXTERIOR SIGNAGE
Baker The Sign Man

PHOTOGRAPHS
Michael Moran

AREA
2400 FT²

YEAR
2015

LOCATION
Philadelphia, United States

CATEGORY
Restaurant

Buena Onda
© Michael Moran
Buena Onda
© Michael Moran

James Beard award-winning Chef Jose Garces wants guests to feel as though they have traveled to the relaxing and vibrant beach towns of coastal Mexico while dining at Buena Onda, a taqueria and margarita bar.

Buena Onda
© Michael Moran
Buena Onda
© Michael Moran

Inspired by the ambiance of Acapulco and color blocking of Luis Barragan, CORE worked closely with Chef Garces to find the right balance of color and texture for each of the restaurant’s distinct elements.

The spaces of Buena Onda are defined by volumes and their different materials – the “X” or lattice pattern of the Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU), wood slats, stacked tile, and a raked plaster texture.

The distinctive colors of cool blues and warm whites with a pop of citrus yellow create differentiation amongst the surfaces, in addition to their varied textures.

Buena Onda
© Michael Moran
Buena Onda
© Michael Moran
Buena Onda
© Michael Moran

The wood canopy volume above the bar references a “palapa,” a traditional grass-thatch hut found on the beaches of Mexico.

Acapulco chairs were also studied, and take form in the shape of custom feature pendant lights cascading throughout the dining space.

The playful yet calming palette, the reinterpretation of Acapulco chairs as custom light pendants, and elevation of humble materials found in Mexico, were developed as a signature kit of parts for future restaurant roll out application.

Buena Onda
© Michael Moran


Buena Onda
Interior Elevation 1
Buena Onda
Interior Elevation 2


Buena Onda
Floor Plan