MZA worked with James Beard Semifinalist chef Julio Hernandez to bring Maiz de la Vida - a taqueria and tequila bar celebrating heirloom-crafted Mexican cuisine - to life within the firm’s adaptive reuse project, the Antique Mall, at Paseo South Gulch. Rooted in the authenticity of Hernandez’s celebrated food truck and tortilla operation, the restaurant’s design grew directly from the food itself, embracing bold color, texture, and craft as central drivers of the experience.

The interior balances vibrancy with restraint, layering curated details and unapologetic pops of color within the existing industrial shell. MZA collaborated closely with a network of local Nashville makers and fabricators to realize the space, including custom signage by Fortify, millwork by Mesa, graphics by The McClure Co., metalwork, and furnishings that reinforce the tactile, handcrafted quality of the brand.

Project scope included space planning, concept design, coordination with brand development and kitchen equipment providers, finish and furniture selection, and the design and detailing of custom booths, tables, back bar shelving, host stand, and server stations - resulting in a space that feels both deeply rooted and unmistakably contemporary.