WORDS Jo Buitenbach PHOTOS César Béjar, Pakal Egger & Tonatiuh Egger, Co-Lab Design Office
Explore some of the best contemporary design that Mexico has to offer, from exceptional architecture and colourful interiors to playful jewellery and artisanal furniture.
Think Mexico, and undoubtedly rich history, beautifully woven textiles and vibrant colours come to mind. From the grand pyramids and sculptures of the Olmecs to Frida Kahlo’s iconic self-portraits, Mexico is a melting pot of creativity that’s been bubbling away for centuries. Today, work by the likes of architects Alberto Kalach and Mauricio Rocha continues to push creative boundaries. Here are a few projects that celebrate the ingenuity of this Latin American country.
Natural Beauty
Inspired by the beauty of the Yucatan region, CO-LAB Design Office was founded by Joana Gomes and Joshua Beck in 2010, and offers architectural, interior and landscape design services that allow for a holistic approach on all projects.
CO-LAB’s Lúum Temple, located in the fast-growing beach town of Tulum, is part of a new residential project called Lúum Zama. Unlike other developments in the region, 50% of the eight-hectare property has been set aside for conservation.
Lúum Zama aims to create awareness around more sustainable ways of developing, using both modern design techniques and artisanal craftmanship. Set in the heart of the development and within an area of indigenous jungle, the temple – which is used for yoga, meditation and other workshops – is only accessible on foot.
It was assembled using flat sections of bamboo bent on site, screwed and strapped together, then covered with a local thatch roofing. The bamboo was farmed sustainably in a neighbouring region.
A meeting of past and present
Casa Hoyos is a 16-room boutique hotel in the historic town of San Miguel de Allende. Owned by four generations of the Hoyos family, the restored villa’s interior architecture was reimagined by A-G Interior Studio, led by Andres Gutierrez.
Reminiscent of houses typical to southern Spain, the ground- and first-floor hotel spaces are distributed around an open-plan patio, bordered by Andalusian-style balconies. The building is a smart dialogue between colonial architecture and contemporary Mexican design, and manages to highlight art and materials sourced from different parts of Mexico. This includes all the furniture and artworks, which were either designed by A-G Interior Studio or are collaborations with various Mexican artists and designers. The hotel is also a lesson in how to use colour, geometric design and statement tiling: the small square yellow tiles found in many of the common areas are symbolic of a corn cob, and represent the grain business that once operated in the building. The salmon-coloured clay tiles, used in the inner part of the arches that surround the courtyard, represent the snakes that appear in the Hoyos family heraldic shield.
Follow the light
Sombra, which somewhat paradoxically translates to “shadow”, is an architectural lighting studio based in Mexico City. It was started in 2016 by designer Paola Jose, whose work “emphasises the opposition to over- illumination” as she constantly “pursues darkness” – a difficult endeavour in a highly populated and lit-up urban centre.
Sombra focuses on commercial work and installations, and recently released an exciting new lighting range called the Yacaman collection. It’s a tribute to her late father and grandfather, who were both doctors. The Yacaman Table is an arresting piece, reminiscent of a worn medical lamp, “with a golden light that travels through space, and heals, just like the great Dr Yacaman”.
Inspired by the 90s
With the slogan “find your inner child through art”, Sofia Elias’s work could only be a riot of fun. Born in Guadalajara, but now based in Mexico City, Sofia studied architecture before turning to the visual arts and, finally, sculpture.
Wanting to use her hands to create, she started making jewellery and miniature sculptures with the aim of working her way towards full-scale artworks. Inspired by her childhood in Mexico, Sofia channels all things 1990s. Her current works include the Pofi chairs, Blobb rings and Wobble vases. The eye-catching Wobble vases are made of recycled materials and each is completely unique – but it’s the outlandish series of Blobb rings, made of resin and perfectly cut gems, that we love. And we aren’t alone: pop princess Dua Lipa is a fan too.
An ingenious self-build
Manuel Cervantes Estudio is all about pushing boundaries and changing the way we live and build. Based in Mexico City, its latest inventive project is “assisted self-production housing”. Manuals, cellphone pictures and talking through issues with experts will mean that “normal” people will be able to build and better understand their own homes.
The prototype, named Rural Nicolas Housing is situated in a wooded, mountainous area with a temperate climate and great views. Using smart design and building practices, the studio aims to optimally use the home through orientation, openings for sunlight, insulation and using certain spaces at different times of the day. We think this method of self-building could be a great idea in South Africa.
The alchemy of wood
MexicoCity’s Dórica is a furniture brand that creates chairs, sofas, tables, credenzas and lamps. It was founded in 2016 by designer Sebastián Ángeles, who aspires to bring beauty to spaces through “the purest artisanal woodwork”. Sebastián works with metal, upholstery and stonework – but it’s his use of wood that really stands out.
A minimal aesthetic is created by emphasising the raw properties of the wood; according to the brand, this is done by “extracting the grace from its grain, its hues and its softness to the touch”. Dórica’s Corchea daybed is a show-stopper, and the Boreal collection illustrates the brand’s strong connection to nature.
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