Canadian surf town informs design for taco restaurant by September

Natural colours and beach textures from a Canadian surf town informed the design of this Vancouver restaurant by local studio September.

Kit's Burrito Bar is located on West 4th Street in the city's Kitsilano neighbourhood. It is the latest outpost of Tacofino, a Mexican restaurant that serves tacos and burritos in a Californian style.

September took cues from the "natural features" of Tofino, a small beachside town on the coast of Vancouver Island to outfit the 2,000 square foot (185.8-square-metre) space.

"The client had requested a fresh space that made reference to Tofino, the Canadian Surf town where the clients live and started the business," the studio said.

"To do this we focused on using the minimal amount of materials necessary to make reference to the natural features the area is known for."

Exposed electrical wiring is strung across the white ceilings and walls in patterns intended to mimic the shape of ocean waves. Streaks of green paint curve up the walls in similar shapes.

A banquette constructed with pale green cedar slats wraps around the water tap to form a wall of seating. The sculptural paneling also hangs above the all-black service counter fronted with black rocks and is used at the check-in desk at the entrance.

To accent the plain walls and the black furnishings the earthy colour is also used on the countertop, bathroom door and bathroom wall.

Each of the rectangular dining tables is topped with black and white beach stone terrazzo slabs designed in collaboration with a local artist. Black chairs with slender wire backs from Afteroom Studio are arranged around the tables.

Asymmetrical menu boards with black text display the eatery's offerings. In the bathroom, an irregular, oval-shaped mirror by local designer Kate Richard attaches to the vibrant green wall.

"References to water and natural forms appear in the wall menu, ovoid mirrors, custom beach stone tabletops, and artwork," the studio added.

To brighten the dark restaurant, which is situated partially below grade, a series of bulbs attached to the round sockets fasten to the curving electrical conduit that meanders throughout the space.

September is a residential and hospitality design firm led by Brendan Callander and Shiloh Sukkau.

Before establishing the studio in 2019 Sukkau worked on the design for other Tacofino locations, including Tacofino Ocho furnished with Eames dining chairs and bar stools and Oasis, modelled after mid-century Mexican resort towns.

Photography is by Vishal Marapon.

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