Architecture & Interior Design in Guatemala

This café and event space draws its inspiration from commercial roadside icons. To draw the attention of passing traffic, the building exterior is conceived as a four-sided billboard: a provocative fifty-foot matte-black cube studded with colorful car chassis.

Located in the colonial city of Antigua, L’Osteria stands out from its historic surrounds with a bold modern concept. In a town of cobblestone streets and 17th century architecture, the project’s lively mix of design and arts programming creates a vibrant community gathering space within the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Optometry Store | Completed 2017 | Zone 10, Guatemala City Okio, an eyewear store in Guatemala City, takes its merchandise as inspiration and makes clear its function to the street traffic nearby. A pair of large circular openings with oxidized iron frames act as architecturally-integrated signage, while also bringing in natural light and inviting passersby to window shop. A large interior “oculus” skylight combines with the exterior openings to bring a bold interplay of light and form to the interior of this small boutique.

Retail Showroom | 915 sf | Completed 2015 | Fontabella, Guatemala City Conceived as a modern chapel, the central room, anchored by an altar-like display island, opens up to small votive niches which offer a more intimate experience with the shop’s jewelry. One, a sculptural cave that you slip into through a slim, framed doorway, features mirrored, faceted gold-toned walls with a slim horizontal inset housing a sparkling jewelry display. Another holds a private showroom with custom-designed furnishings and a soft, curtained partition to offer privacy.

"Saul '14" is a house with many charms. Under one roof, we combine fashion, design, art, objects and food. Here, a union of culture and commerce full of surprises and small treasures entices clients and visitors to take the time to enjoy diverse experiences. It is a place to meet, to stop for a drink at the café, to shop at the store or to visit the terrace to have a long meal or just sit to read.

The design's playful qualities draw from cultural references.

Cocktail culture meets spatial delight in this social setting—where material richness and subtle theatricality animate the bar experience and encourage convivial gathering.

Concepción provokes the temporal sensation of an art installation, as bold red forms cantilever beyond the infill constraints of its shopping center site. The playful and modern corrugated steel volumes, which take on the archetypal form of a house, create an extra-ordinary condition that offers an unexpected contrast with the suburban surrounds. On the interior, each bay is wrapped in plywood sheathing and exposed wood framing, creating a simple, warm atmosphere that showcases what can be accomplished with carefully curated yet common materials. The extended bays both visually define the facade and partition the interiors with cozy nooks that break up the large space and open up to the lush landscaping beyond. Felt and tartan fabrics and a central open fireplace give the interiors the rustic feel of a forest cabin.

Large open day-lit spaces with brightly colored elements instill a friendly and enthusiastic approach to exercise. To develop the combination of graphic patterns, materials and textures we worked very closely on brand conception with Milk n’ Cookies, a local design and digit agency. The goal was to create a look and feel in the branding material and physical space that were geared toward adults and young people who are more interested in light cardio fitness and in traditional bodybuilding. 
 In order to reach the main workout area, members ascend a sculptural yellow staircase after passing through a narrow mirror corridor with a hexagon overlay, to access the locker area.

Saúl San Cristobal was conceived as a bold, urban insert within a large commercial complex—an architecture that refuses to blend in. A vibrant red steel frame wraps the perimeter, creating a strong visual identity while framing generous floor-to-ceiling glazing that opens the restaurant to the public realm. Inside, reclaimed wood floors and ceilings soften the intensity of the red structure, balancing warmth and energy. Custom geometric graphics introduce rhythm and playfulness, suspended as sculptural volumes that animate the double-height space. The long upholstered banquette, patterned tile bar, and repetitive pendant lighting create a cohesive dining experience that feels both contemporary and approachable. Planters and integrated trees blur interior and exterior boundaries, reinforcing a sense of openness despite the mall setting. The project transforms a typical commercial shell into a lively, memorable environment—where color, material contrast, and strong branding merge into an immersive spatial identity.

Set in the warm-weather environment of Guatemala City, the open-air Majadas café is left almost entirely open to the vibrant pedestrian walkway that runs alongside it. Without any glass to enclose the café, Taller KEN designed custom folding shutters, made of steel frames interwoven with slim wood dowels, to define the exterior. When the shutters rise, rows of large potted plants are revealed which lightly and lushly define the bounds of the café. Inside, custom concrete tiles arranged in a vibrant pattern lead visitors through a space that can be experienced differently with each visit. Wood chairs with patterned upholstery mix with white marble tabletops and playful lighting fixtures made of bright yellow campari bottles. A vaulted seating area in the center is framed in glass to offer privacy, with an undulating wood-block feature wall adding texture and dimension.

A bespoke living environment that layers spatial moments, tactile finishes, and thoughtful detailing to cultivate a strong sense of presence and inhabitant delight.