Located in Oklahoma City’s Plaza District, Mexican Radio specializes in two things, tacos and cold drinks. The concept restaurant conceived by A Good Egg Dining Group occupies a lively, fun space.
The major restoration of the property includes a covered outdoor dining area. There, a translucent vaulted canopy crowns the space in a swirl of colors. Inspired by a colorful fine art glass installation, the owners and architect collaborated to find the right solution.
The canopy adds more than just a bright accent for diners; it creates an additional dining space that protects diners from the elements and makes the space useful nearly all year.
Style and Substance, On Budget
In the renovation, the outdoor dining area was demolished down to the existing steel tube structure. Kingspan Light + Air manufactured a fully engineered, customized and prefabricated vaulted canopy to fit the existing steel structure. Kingspan provided a clear anodized aluminum structure, and six glazing colors designed to bring the owner’s vision to life.
“We knew colored glass wouldn’t work on this budget,” says Zack Woods, AIA, with Gardner Architects. “But with the Kingspan product, we could get the bright tones of color the customer wanted, and we could cover more square footage, spanning a full patio instead of a very small area.”
Mindful of the project budget, Kingspan provided a variety of color panels with no high set-up costs. Non-standard off the rack hues lend a custom-job look. “The tones of colors used give this a unique feel,” Zack says, “and kept the budget on track.”
Canopy Delivers Durable Performance Value
The canopy provides a durable and inviting venue for diners year ’round. Because one end of the canopy is open to the street and the other is connected to the building, the space is largely sheltered from the elements. Ceiling and attic fans circulate air and pull heat out in the warm summer months; patio heaters create a comfortable space in the winter. Providing more than just a comfortable environment, the Kingspan Light + Air Pentaglas canopy system is built to last. The system has undergone 10-year testing to ensure both color stability and impact durability over time. Should the need arise, the KLA system allows spot replacement of single panels; the entire canopy does not have to be replaced.