Based on the creativity and precision of Asian food, the mexican architecture studio Locus creates a restaurant in the heart of Mexico City that is conceived as a space that seeks to evoke familiarity and trust and where to share food and stories.

Under the interpretation of the term that gives its name to the project, Makan, which in Singapore is understood as an invitation, where sharing food is seeking intimacy, warmth and care, the Asian Bistrot creates an atmosphere of conviviality where a sample is offered of culinary traditions in a comfortable environment in harmony with its surroundings.
Locus approaches Makan from different approaches, all from a perspective of environmental responsibility through which they propose strategies such as the reuse of materials or the implementation of planning to contribute, in addition to preserving the environment, to creating a healthy and comfortable interior environment. for clients and workers, promoting their well-being.

The project results in a space with low environmental impact, harmonious and committed to its environment and sustainability, whose philosophy is reflected from the layout approach to the furniture design, in which carbonized wood is integrated as a touch of distinction that It also guarantees durability and resistance.


Makan by Locus. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
 

Project description by Locus

An Asian bistro in the heart of Mexico City
In Singapore, the term makan is an invitation: to share food is to seek intimacy, warmth and care. That is why chefs Maryann Yong and Mario Malváez decided to give this name to their gastronomic project. From the beginning, both conceived Makan as a space capable of evoking the familiarity and trust that comes with cooking for someone and sharing food and stories at the same table.

Makan brings back the precision and creativity of Asian food and the products of unquestionable quality offered by committed and rigorous Mexican suppliers.

Makan's menu is a sample of culinary traditions from the multiplicity of ethnicities that make up Southeast Asia. In it we discover dishes with flavors, textures and ingredients that coexist, sometimes in complicity, and other times in contrast, and that are governed by a main idea: offering simplicity and quality in the same dish.


Makan by Locus. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.

A restaurant made with 50% recycled materials
Environmental responsibility was a crucial aspect in the materialization of the project. From the conception stage, the use of sustainable materials was prioritized, highlighting the use of national white oak wood in much of the interior design. This choice not only highlights the natural beauty of the environment, but also ensures proper management of natural resources, promoting environmental conservation and supporting local industry in a sustainable manner.

In addition, strategies were implemented to maximize the use of natural light during the day and natural ventilation, thus reducing dependence on air conditioning systems and minimizing energy consumption. These measures not only contribute to the preservation of the environment, but also promote a healthy and comfortable indoor environment for the occupants of the space, promoting their well-being and productivity.

To add a touch of distinction and contrast, charred wood was integrated into some of the furniture details. This technique not only adds a visually attractive element, but also guarantees durability and resistance, eliminating chemical treatments that are harmful to the environment and health. Together, these design decisions result in a project with a lower environmental impact and greater harmony with its natural environment, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

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Architects
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Locus. Lead Architects.- Jachen Schleich, Sana Frini.
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Design team
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Santiago Sitten, Ruy Berumen, Eduardo Silva.
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Collaborators
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Graphic Design.- Foreign Policy Design.
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Dates
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2023.
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Location
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City of Mexico, Mexico.
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Manufacturers
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Luminaires.- Locus x Estudio Nuumbra.
Sinks.- Locus x MDC (concrete furniture)
Chairs.- Locus x National Workshop.
Art.- It's a living, Clerambault Syndrome.
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Photography
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Locus is a cross disciplinary office based in mexico city, whom founders, Jachen Schleich and Sana Frini understand space as a place that results from a constant in betweens where form(s) follow(s) behavior(s) and belonging(s).

Its tools embody the tangible, as the told, the felt the hidden and the unseen. history is fundamental, while context(s) and narrative(s) are lenses to look at the present to build in. Locus is currently leading the construction of the first zero-carbon footprint building in mexico.

The office recently won second place in the iom headquarters competition in geneva (2023) and fourth place in the national museum of carthage competition in tunisia (2023). They were also selected to take part in the eco pavilion competition in mexico city (2023) and exhibited several different ranges of upcycled furniture at mexico city’s design week the same year.

Sana Frini, co-founder of locus and tunisian born is an architect based in Mexico City, holds a M.arch in urban studies (utl, Lisbon) and MSC in globalization and environment (nova, Lisbon). Sana’s research focuses on architectural practices in the global south, including participatory processes, neovernacular systems, and sustainable development.

She has managed projects in social housing, rehabilitation, and reconstruction, as well as artistic installations in France, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, the United States, and Tunisia.

Sana has recently been selected to curate the Biennale d’Architecture et de Paysage in Versailles (bap, 2025). Her work has been exhibited at events such as the Mexico City design week (2023), the Herbert Johnson Museum (2021), the mexican Abierto de Diseño (2019), the chicago architecture biennial (2018), and the Lisbon Architecture Triennale (2013).

Sana has received awards such as gensler visiting critics (2021), the mexican national art creators system grant (2020), and the erasmus mundus fellowship. She has collaborated with universities such as Cornell Aap, Chicago (iit), kent university, head Geneva, Versailles School of Architecture, and UNAM Mexico.

Jachen Schleich, co-founder of Locus, swiss-born, is an architect based in Mexico City. He holds an MSC (eth, zurich) and shapes his architectural practice around essential elements, addressing broader contemporary themes. His work spans scales from furniture to urban infrastructure and masterplans.

Alongside being co-founder of Locus and sustainable living, Jachen oversees the swiss sustainable construction certification (minergie) in mexico. additionally, he manages ceela program activities in Mexico with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (cosude).

Jachen is also co-founder of Liga de la Madera, an interdisciplinary group dedicated to research, practice and teaching the wood production chain in Mexico.

Blending his practice with research and teaching, Jachen is currently involved in a course about wood construction in centro university, Mexico, and has been invited in various places as jury / guest professor.

Exhibited recognitions include being a finalist at the 2018 Venice Biennale’s ‘young architects in latin america’ (YALA) and winning the gold medal at the 2022 Mexican Architecture Biennial and the 2023 Architecture Biennial of Mexico City.
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