Time for tequila
The Tequileria, located in the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, is divided into two distinct sections: the traditional area and the fun area. The fun area depicts the colorful, festive side of Jose Cuervo. Custom designed tabletops sport sayings like: “Did I hear someone say Conga line?” and other sayings and icons exemplifying the Jose Cuervo brand. The flooring is part Saltillo tile and part cobblestone. In the category of New or Renovated Themed Restaurants, Scottsdale, Ariz.-based AAD was awarded the 2001 SADI for its design work on the project.
Near the bar are two multi-colored, lizard-shaped stand-up counters. The wall at the end of the bar area houses La Cucina — a pass-through window, which connects the Tequileria with the Blue Burrito Grill located in the adjacent food court.
The dining area reflects the traditional heritage of the brand. The focal point of this room is the wall with a sun mask and backlit rays, which cast a radiant shadow on the wall. Below the sun, is a depiction of the “stairs to nowhere,” a Mexican tradition that symbolizes the ascent to heaven. The ceiling is the traditional Mexican “Latilla and Viga,” which is constructed from the actual skeletons of the saguaro cactus and wooden cross beams. An interesting note is that the saguaro skeletons are inherently fire-retardant.
Category
New or Renovated Themed Restaurants
Award Recipient
AAD
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Michael E. Steveson
(executive vice president)
Carl F. Schaffer
(executive vice president)
Client
HMS Host
Bethesda, Md.
Product Manufacturers/Suppliers: Wolfe Construction, Phoenix (contractor); MPO Videotronics, Newbury Park, Calif. (audio/video); National Mallfront, Peoria, Ariz. (ceiling/fixturing/furniture/theming/graphics/lighting/signage); Pindler & Pindler, Scottsdale, Ariz. (fabrics); Shaffer Seating, Denver (furniture); Casa Talamantes, Albuquerque, N.M. (furniture); Innovative Surfaces, Phoenix (furniture); J & J Industries, Santa Ana, Calif. (furniture); Tile West, Phoenix (flooring); Juno, Cerritos, Calif. (lighting); Lumature, Scottsdale, Ariz. (lighting); Interiors for Architecture, Scottsdale, Ariz. (props/decoratives/artifacts); J.M. Lynne, Mission Hills, Calif. (wall coverings); Xquest Wall Surfaces, Hackensack, N.J. (wall coverings); Norton Photography, Phoenix (photography)