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Ometeo

GrizForm Design Architects

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Bronze
Tile archways lead to a raised dining platform with custom, hand-painted wall tiles. Yellow, cream, orange, and purple acoustic panels clad the walls, reminiscent of kernels of heritage corn, serving to incorporate core ingredients of the cuisine seamlessly into the visual language of the space. - Kristopher Ilich
The middle of the main dining room is home to the lower-level bar, featuring overhead shutters and raised booths with custom light fixtures carved from old, knotted wood - Kristopher Ilich
Kristopher Ilich
Tile archways lead to a raised dining platform with custom, hand-painted wall tiles. Yellow, cream, orange, and purple acoustic panels clad the walls, reminiscent of kernels of heritage corn, serving to incorporate core ingredients of the cuisine seamlessly into the visual language of the space. - Kristopher Ilich

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Restaurant
4.87
6.42
5.17
5.51
5.49
Marc Verderol
Marc Verderol Head of Store Construction at Swarovski
8
7.5
8
7.5
7.75
Pepa Casado D'Amato
Pepa Casado D'Amato Trend Researcher at Futurea
The project creates a space complet...
8
8
8.5
7
7.88
Nicholas Burns
Nicholas Burns Founder at Studio Nicholas Burns
9.27
7.79
9.09
6.76
8.23
David T’Kint
David T’Kint Founder at DTK Studio
7.02
7.02
7.54
7.54
7.28
CM Jao
CM Jao Cofounder at Oft Interiors
8.5
7.5
8
7
7.75
John Naranjo
John Naranjo Creative Director at Arcadis - Callison RTKL
Great holistic integration of the b...
8.37
8.47
9.1
7.33
8.32
Dimitris Karampatakis
Dimitris Karampatakis Co-founder and Director at K-Studio
6.5
6
6.5
8
6.75
Valentina Audrito
Valentina Audrito Cofounder and Partner at Studio Audrito Word of Mouth House
8.95
7.42
8.57
7.13
8.02
Kammy Han
Kammy Han General Manager at Chengdu EGO Business Management
6.72
7.05
7.13
7.37
7.07
Ben Pashley
Ben Pashley Head of Store Concept Development at Magasin du Nord
7.69
6.64
8.3
7.45
7.52
Bart Sasim
Bart Sasim Managing Director at Coliving Ventures
The way this building's structure t...
8.6
7.7
8.9
8.1
8.33
Addy Walcott
Addy Walcott Creative Director at M Moser Associates
Inspiring! This is an iconic exampl...
9
8
9
8
8.5
Pallavi Dean
Pallavi Dean Founder at Roar
love how the scale was broken down...
9.8
8.55
7.66
7.82
8.46
Bin Wu
Bin Wu Founder at W.Design
8
7.6
7.8
7
7.6
Krisztian Szetei
Krisztian Szetei Managing Director at Solinfo Group
The project ultimately carries a WO...
8.5
7
8.5
7.3
7.83
Client
Long Shot Hospitality
Floor area
11000 ㎡
Completion
2023
Social Media
Instagram Facebook Linkedin Pinterest
Furniture
Furniture
Furniture
Furniture
Furniture
Lighting

Ometeo is an upscale Tex-Mex restaurant at the Capital One Center in Tysons, Virginia. The concept’s name combines the Nahuatl words Ōme (“two”) and teōtl (“God”) to create Ōmeteō, a word referencing the dual inspiration of Texas and Mexico which is referenced throughout.

The restaurant’s design is a delicate, culturally sensitive fusion of Texan and Mexican cultures, steering clear of stereotypes, and evading clichés. The task wasn't just about combining architectural elements; it demanded a thoughtful balance, navigating the intersection of two distinct cultural identities with heightened awareness to create a cohesive and respectful visual narrative. Ultimately, the space represents a genuine Tex-Mex destination, celebrating traditional processes and aesthetic nuances through thoughtful material selection and respectful design choices.

The space references the dual inspiration throughout the cuisine, décor, and overall guest experience. Expansive dining rooms are decorated with antique, vintage, and handmade artisan goods, reflecting a commitment to longevity and mindful consumption. The restaurant includes multiple dining areas, a large outdoor bar, and a second-floor mezzanine lounge with private dining capabilities.

Exiting the vestibule, guests are greeted by an expansive, double-height space. A fountain heightens the feeling of a rancher’s horse trough, adding an authentic touch. Acoustic panels in yellow, cream, orange, and purple, reminiscent of heritage corn kernels, seamlessly incorporate core ingredients into the visual language. An expansive tile archway leads to a raised dining platform adorned with custom, hand-painted wall tiles, and integrated basket lights.

The middle of the main dining room is home to the lower-level bar, featuring overhead shutters and raised booths with custom light fixtures carved from old, knotted wood—further demonstrating a dedication to responsible resource usage. Moving into a single-height dining room, the rustic aesthetic remains reminiscent of a gate at a Texas ranch, complete with mounted longhorn cow horns displayed above a dedicated tortilla-crafting station.

Upstairs, the upper mezzanine level boasts a private speakeasy and flexible lounge space. Eclectic furniture curated from vintage antique dealers, terracotta accents, and indigenous-inspired wall cut-outs enrich the ambiance. A glowing bar in the back corner provides a focal point within the space, and a dedicated terrace with a railing allows guests to overlook the action below.

Outside, the hacienda-style area features woven accents, terracotta, and ceramic lights, complemented by flora from Texas and Mexico. Custom patterned table tops featuring the restaurant's logo tie the outdoor space's visual identity to the interior and brand image. The establishment stands as one of the area’s most authentic Tex-Mex locations, inspired by a broad range of traditional processes and aesthetic cues to provide a genuine experience for guests.