When Nobu asked for a full interior overhaul—without pausing dinner service—Mexico‑City studio CUAIK turned to Programa. Live FF&E schedules kept 20‑plus trades aligned, client dashboards delivered instant approvals, and a shared product library shaved weeks off sourcing. The result: an award‑winning Nobu Arcos completed on deadline, with zero spreadsheet chaos and not a single night of closure.
“We use Programa every day, every minute, every week… It saves a lot of time. And in this industry, time is money.”
Santiago CuaikFounder & CEO
Nobu is known worldwide for its high-end dining experiences - a fusion of Japanese tradition and global culinary flair. In Mexico City, CUAIK rose to the challenge of creating an environment that could match the restaurant’s illustrious brand. The resulting project, Nobu Arcos, showcased not only CUAIK’s architectural skill but also Programa’s ability to simplify complex builds under tight timelines and without the restaurant ever shutting.
“NOBU ARCOS is trying to push the design barrier as much as possible while staying cozy. Programa was key to balancing every detail.”
Santiago CuaikFounder & CEO
Valeria describes one of the biggest hurdles: the restaurant never closed during renovations. With diners still walking through, the design and construction teams had to coordinate everything - schedules, materials, and real-time updates - on the fly. “At first, the idea of managing this all on spreadsheets sounded impossible,” the team recalls. Then they realized Programa could keep each collaborator informed in a single, fluid environment.
Specification, scheduling & beyond
A project of Nobu’s scale - mixing custom furniture, unique finishes, and intricate lighting - demands impeccable specification tracking. CUAIK used our Schedules feature to detail everything from hardware to seating arrangements, instantly updating items as they evolved. Contractors had access to real-time product statuses, ensuring no component fell through the cracks.
“Every time we build a restaurant, timing is crucial. Programa let us see all materials in one place, so we hit deadlines.”
Alejandro AzcuéCuarit Managing Director
CUAIK | CDS"We transitioned completely to Programa for our project management. The platform significantly reduced our time spent on administrative tasks, allowing us to focus more on design and client interactions."
CUAIK | CDS"It’s much faster. We’re not wasting time checking websites or filling out spreadsheets. Everything’s already there, so we can drop it straight into the program. It’s saved us a lot of time."
CUAIK | CDS"I recently started a project from scratch in Programa - it made the early stages so much easier. Normally, I’d be saving images to folders and building layouts in InDesign. With Programa, I just link the photo and it’s instantly organised into a mood board."
Real-time updates & bridging communication
With a never-closed, high-end restaurant, any delay could be disastrous. Valeria points out how Programa’s flagging tool kept urgent changes from slipping by. Meanwhile, CUAIK’s cost advisors and design leads used the platform’s Financial view to see if budgets were on track, adjusting in real time. This synergy saved hours of back-and-forth emails with project stakeholders.
“Instead of switching to Excel or searching a random PDF, we just throw everything into Programa. It’s faster and keeps us on budget.”
Valeria ZamoraNOBU Project Manager
“Time is money. With time tracking we can understand how much we're investing into each project. ”
Santiago CuaikCEO & Founder
The Product Library advantage
Nobu’s interior required specific materials and custom elements. CUAIK’s comprehensive Product Library in Programa sped up the selection process. Team members could instantly confirm colorways, finishes, or fixture specs, instead of rummaging for older references. Junior designers also learned quickly by tapping into existing data, reinforcing a culture of open knowledge-sharing.
“Everything you see and touch in this project lives in our Product Library. When someone new joins the team, they can instantly understand what’s been specified before. With filters, it’s easy to trace the details across past and future projects.”
Santiago CuaikCEO & Founder
“Use Programa because it saves time and saves you a bad time.”
Alejandro AzcuéCuarit Managing Director
Achieving an award-winning result
In the end, Nobu Arcos not only retained full operational hours during construction but also won accolades for its inviting ambiance and attention to detail. CUAIK attributes much of this success to a meticulously coordinated process - an approach they say Programa supercharged.
A blueprint for future projects
From concept sketches to final installation, Nobu Arcos proves how a unified platform like Programa elevates architecture and interior design. By managing specs, tasks, budgets, and client feedback in one place, CUAIK delivered a space worthy of the Nobu brand - without the chaos of legacy spreadsheets.
For CUAIK, it’s about turning obstacles into opportunities. “We push design boundaries, but time is money,” says Santiago. “Programa frees us to focus on the real work: creating unforgettable spaces like Nobu.”
