Baffi Tlacualoyan by Nicholas Alencar is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl in Calchihualiztli, Calmanaliztli ihuan Tlatecpanaliztli Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

IztacteocuitlatlCalchihualiztli· 2026

Baffi Tlacualoyan

by Nicholas Alencar

Client: Alencar

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl Winner in Calchihualiztli Category

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Colors

The Design

About Baffi Tlacualoyan

In Baffi Tlacualoyan mocahua ihtic Matria Parque de Flores, in achi hueyi xochitepancalli ipan Latinoamérica. In tequitl omochiuh ic quihtocaz in tlaltepoztli ye onca, ihuan tlaco quicalaquia in calli ihtic in tlalmantli. Inin ohtli quicohcohua in tlein neci ihuan quichihua ce huel cetlazohtiliztli itzalan in caltlachihualiztli ihuan in yolizmatiliztli, quimaca tlachializtli ipan in atezcatl, in xochimilli ihuan in tepetzintli in ihtlanahuac. Itlacayo quitequitiltia yolizmatca tlachihualtin ihuan pactli tlanahuatiliztli ic quimaca yolpaquiliztli ihuan quicohcohua in tlitl tetequitiliztli. In tlacuepaltin ce tequitqui tlalmantli tlein quihtocaz in tlalli ihuan quihueyaquilia in innemachtiliz in tlaicnihuan.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl

Baffi Tlacualoyan ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl, hueyi tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in huel yectli, tlanextic ihuan mahuiztic tlachihualli. In quicuicah Iztacteocuitlatl ca cenca cualli ihuan cenca yancuic tlachihualli in quinextia in tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ixtlamatiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Baffi Tlacualoyan ca cenca cualli, cenca motequiuhtia ihuan yancuic. Ni dizayno in quicuic Iztacteocuitlatl quihuelitia in toltecayotl, tlamatiliztli, dizayno ihuan teknolohia. Baffi Tlacualoyan quiyolchicahua in tlacah, quipaquiltia ihuan quitlamahuiztiltia.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Baffi Restaurant is a landmark in contemporary Brazilian architecture, located in Matria Parque de Flores, the biggest flower park in Latin America. The project was designed to camouflage itself in the existing relief, reflecting the perfect integration between architecture, nature, and functionality. It is an example of how architecture can be both impactful and delicately inserted into the natural context.
Dimensions & Packaging: The Baffi Restaurant has a total area of 743.34 square meters. The full park covers a total area of 50 hectares.
Tags: Restaurant, Flower Park, Brazil, Landscape, Commercial Architecture, Sustainability, Social Impact
Production Technology: The design was developed through an iterative process combining digital modeling and on-site adaptations. Materials were sourced locally to minimize environmental impact, with a focus on concrete fabrication techniques adapted to the region. Sustainability guided every step, from preserving the site’s natural topography to implementing passive environmental strategies. The project also involved training local workers, ensuring long-term benefits for the community and the built environment.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge was balancing sustainability with feasibility. We navigated material limitations, local regulations, and budget constraints while ensuring environmental impact reduction. Socially, integrating community needs required extensive research and engagement. Technologically, adapting passive strategies to varied climates demanded innovative solutions. Overcoming these obstacles led to a resilient, efficient, and community-driven design.
Research: The research focused on sustainable architecture, aiming to integrate design with environmental responsibility. Using case studies and site analysis, we examined materials, climate impact, and user experience. Data was collected through field studies and expert consultations. Insights led to passive strategies that reduce energy consumption. The findings influence real-world design, promoting eco-conscious solutions that benefit both businesses and communities.
Inspiration: The project was born from the dream of the Piazza family. Upon realizing the magnitude of this endeavor and what it would take to bring it to life, this dream became our dream. It was necessary to train and professionalize hundreds of residents to achieve this goal. A total of 250 people were mobilized for the single purpose of planting flowers. Residents of this small town acquired new skills and found a renewed sense of purpose, proud of the strength of their city.
Project Duration: The project started in July 2019 in Sao Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It was completed in February 2022.
Operation Flow: The restaurant seamlessly blends into the landscape, inviting visitors to experience nature through architecture. Large glass openings connect indoor and outdoor spaces, offering panoramic views of the gardens. The design enhances comfort with natural ventilation and lighting, creating a warm and immersive atmosphere. Visitors engage with the space fluidly, enjoying an experience that evolves with the seasons, reinforcing a deep connection with the surrounding environment.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Leonardo Finotti, Mátria, 2022.
Image #2: Photographer Leonardo Finotti, Mátria, 2022.
Image #3: Photographer Leonardo Finotti, Mátria, 2022.
Image #4: Photographer Leonardo Finotti, Mátria, 2022.
Image #5: Photographer Leonardo Finotti, Mátria, 2022.