Syracuse
2026
Arco Rojo (The Red Arch) is a ritualistic transition from the vibrant engagement of the street to the welcoming sanctuary of the home. Inspired by the visual hierarchy of a roasted jalapeño and Oaxacan arched doorways, the design centers on a communal courtyard that balances festive energy with raw, rustic intimacy. A palette of terracotta, wood veneers, and hand-painted Talavera tiles grounds the space in heritage, using warm ambient lighting to transform a cold commercial shell into a permanent thermal haven. Traditional Breeze Blocks are integrated into the bar and open kitchen as artisanal features, grounding the central hearth in the heart of the restaurant where it remains visible from all seating. From these structural patterns to the vibrant floral waves drifting above, every detail celebrates the fusion of food, heritage, and community through a profound sense of welcome.
Meet The Revueltas Brothers
Diego and Mateo Revueltas are Oaxacan-born brothers
who have elevated ancestral live-fire cooking into a
high-concept architectural experience. They bring a
raw energy to the kitchen: embracing char marks, heat
zones, and the ancestral rituals that connect
community to the flame. By performing techniques
tableside and embracing the "rough edges" of open-flame
cooking, they merge Michelin-level precision
with the raw energy of cultural heritage.
who have elevated ancestral live-fire cooking into a
high-concept architectural experience. They bring a
raw energy to the kitchen: embracing char marks, heat
zones, and the ancestral rituals that connect
community to the flame. By performing techniques
tableside and embracing the "rough edges" of open-flame
cooking, they merge Michelin-level precision
with the raw energy of cultural heritage.
The Cultural Drive:
Arco Rojo captures the transition from the vibrant public engagement of the street to the welcoming privacy of Oaxacan homes. Inspired by arched doorways that invite you into warm, intimate spaces, the design uses structural arches and Breeze Blocks to manage circulation while maintaining a rustic, transparent materiality. Above, colorful Papel Picado - mirrored in our "floral waves" - provides a festive energy and acoustic masking, while the Talavera tile system transforms functional step-ups into artisanal focal points. This palette echoes the honest structure of Oaxacan cuisine, where every textured material and bold color grounds the space in the Revueltas brothers’ ancestral ritual.
The Mood Of the Project:
The Site: 400 s Salina
Located at 400 S. Salina Street, Arco Rojo is embedded in Syracuse’s cultural heart, neighboring the Landmark Theatre and Red House Arts Center. This "Walker’s Paradise" (Score: 91) acts as a central node, allowing the space to function as a warm, ritualistic extension of the city’s vibrant arts scene.
By leveraging high-visibility frontage, the design serves as a strategic magnet to capture 74,000+ daytime employees and 11,000 daily vehicles. The restaurant transforms its commercial shell into a welcoming anchor that bridges the gap between the fast-paced office lunch and an immersive evening dining experience.
The Contrast
Arco Rojo is strategically designed to counter the environmental constraints of its Syracuse site at 400 South Salina St. Due to surrounding buildings and the ground-level placement, natural light is significantly limited, reaching the interior only during early afternoons in the warmer months. To address this suboptimal lighting and reduced thermal comfort, our design acts as a "human hearth." By integrating vibrant Oaxacan textures and deep, warm lighting, we transform a cold, shadowed shell into a sanctuary of warmth that draws the community together—providing a sensory escape from the Syracuse winter through the ritual of fire and connection.
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Proposed Plans
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Interior Views
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