Toca Madera, a stunning Mexican steakhouse with locations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Scottsdale, has now expanded to Houston. Our collaboration with Toca Madera began with Protolab, where we crafted an initial design based on plans and photos from their Las Vegas location. Special thanks to Jake Salzman from CultivateLAND for providing the photos of the original structure!
Our journey with Toca Madera project began with engineering and design consulting services. The unique concept of the structure captivated us, and we worked for a chance to take part in bringing it to life. Founder and Principal Matthew Renfrow collaborated with Protolab to create drawings that assisted in finalizing the details and budget of the structure. After completing this process, we then bid on the project to budget and fabricate the structure. Our hope was to continue on and translate the imagination of the structure into reality. We were awarded the fabrication portion of the project, and the next phase began.
The detailed plans outlined the design, but its complexity required us to think beyond our usual linear approach. The egg-shaped structure, composed of thousands of feet of curved, laser-cut aluminum tubing, needed precise weaving. We combined high-level artistry with data-driven precision to ensure the final result was aesthetically perfect, uniform, and within budget.
We conducted an in-depth study on one of the panels, gathering as much data as possible to inform the overall design. We engineered the frame and ribs based on this data, using algorithm-based density tools and 3D modeling to construct all of the details. This meticulous approach allowed us to closely estimate the budget while ensuring the design met both aesthetic and financial goals. Each piece had to be precise, but the organic design required our team to freehand many elements. As team member Christian Carter notes, “There is a point where drawings and data can only take you so far, and artistry has to take it from there.”
To ensure precision and accuracy, designated spotters closely monitored the entire fabrication process to prevent errors. This meticulous attention to detail ensured a smooth transition to the next phase. Once each panel was fabricated, the installation process began. Project manager Justin Nunez described the process, stating, “The methodology of how each piece assembled together was complex but well executed. I was blown away by how quickly this was installed with no major errors. It was a flawless installation.”
The result is a beautiful woven structure where customers can dine and relax. We are immensely grateful to our dedicated team for their exceptional work and our collaborators for making this a groundbreaking experience for Renfrow. Toca Madera is a fantastic place to enjoy amazing food. Be sure to stop in and mention that Renfrow sent you!
Who: Protolab, Toca Madera, DC Partners
What: Pavilions and Structures
Where: Houston, TX
How: Design Build, Design Consulting, Engineering, Fabrication, Installation
