taller mexicano de arquitectura preserves casa deco's original textured stone walls in mérida

In Mérida, Mexico, a growing trend in contemporary design involves the thoughtful reinterpretation of colonial houses, balancing the preservation of historical elements with modern living demands. This approach seeks to connect with the city's rich architectural traditions and integrate its tropical natural environment. The fusion of old and new is achieved through the conservation of existing historical features, the strategic reuse of materials, and the incorporation of contemporary design principles. This allows ancient structures, whether in disrepair or well-preserved, to gain new life while highlighting their inherent architectural beauty. The transformation focuses on creating spaces that foster a direct connection with nature, optimize natural lighting, and ensure effective ventilation, addressing current needs for comfort and sustainability. Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, is characterized by a blend of cultural influences, including Mayan, Spanish, African, French, and Lebanese, which have shaped its unique architectural identity. Traditional colonial homes in the region typically feature arches, high ceilings, large windows, central courtyards, tile roofing, and decorative moldings on door frames. These architectural elements are often preserved and highlighted in contemporary renovations. The design philosophy embraces the contrast between the rough, aged textures of original walls and the smooth, precise lines of new interventions. This juxtaposition creates a dialogue between different historical periods, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and narrative of the spaces. Several architectural projects exemplify this transformative approach. Casa Maca by Workshop, Diseño y Construcción, exemplifies this by preserving historical walls and floors while integrating new volumes, such as an internal patio and a pool, which draw in natural light and connect residents with the outdoors. Similarly, Pakaal House, also by Workshop, Diseño y Construcción, maintains original walls and a traditional facade, adding new volumes and a lush interior garden that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. The design emphasizes natural lighting and ventilation through strategic openings. LOHR House by Veinte Diezz Arquitectos showcases the respectful integration of a ruin into a new design. The project preserves original elements while adding new construction that contrasts yet complements the old, creating an internal patio and green spaces for enhanced ventilation and natural light. Vagantes Ermita House by Gina Góngora + Arista Cero demonstrates a similar sensitivity, where new construction harmonizes with existing walls and integrates natural elements like a pool and vegetation within the courtyard, promoting comfort and a connection to the environment. Casa Paseo de Montejo by Taller Estilo Arquitectura also highlights the original construction, contrasting it with clean, contemporary lines and materials, focusing on transparency and natural light to maintain a fresh atmosphere. Furthermore, Casa V by NKN Studio features a longitudinal layout with preserved colonial elements at the front and contemporary additions at the rear, linked by an interior garden. The design ensures good ventilation and natural light through its strategic configuration. Casa Canela by Arista Cero combines the preservation of ancient colonial areas with modern extensions, integrating a central courtyard and pool to enhance the sensory experience with nature. Casa Huolpoch by NKN Studio extends a pre-existing colonial structure, adding new living spaces that incorporate natural materials and maintain visual continuity with the existing architecture. These projects collectively demonstrate a profound respect for Mérida's architectural heritage while adapting it to contemporary needs, creating spaces that are both historically rich and functionally modern. #ColonialHouses #MéridaMexico #ContemporaryDesign #ArchitecturalHeritage #Renovation #SustainableArchitecture #NaturalLight #Ventilation #MaterialReuse

The article describes the transformation of an old Mexican house into an artist's retreat for financial adviser Dorsey Gardner, located in San Miguel de Allende. Gardner initially sought a small studio but acquired a significantly larger 19th-century cottage, which was later expanded to 12,000 square feet. The property, built in the late 1700s, was surrounded by high walls and presented several challenges. Upon acquiring the property, Gardner faced initial issues, including a dense "cactus farm" on the premises. Hundreds of cacti, including a large candelabra cactus, were carefully relocated. The house also featured numerous false ceilings installed in the 1950s in its oldest section, which architect Sebastian Zavala removed to restore the original height and appearance of the rooms. Zavala also enhanced some ceilings with grand wooden crossbeams and refinished existing 1950s wood doors and windows with a light whitewash. During the renovation, a hand-painted frieze in the primary bedroom was uncovered and preserved. Gardner, who had previously undertaken remodeling projects on his own homes in Boston, entrusted the design of this Mexican property to Zavala and Paris-born, San Miguel–based designer Anne-Marie Midy. Gardner expressed a preference for a neutral aesthetic, distinct from traditional Mexican decor. He provided the designers with inspiration from magazines and gave them "carta blanca" for the project before embarking on an extended trip. Midy, along with her partner Jorge Almada, founded Casa Midy, a design firm specializing in furniture and accessories. Gardner's house became their first major interior design project. He had discovered Midy and Almada at their former bistro, Plum, known for its distinctive all-purple decor, which Midy noted was an effective way to attract clients. Zavala converted the original structure into a three-bedroom, five-bathroom artist's retreat, maintaining the house's Spanish Colonial architectural elements, stone walls, and archways. He added a spacious studio and installed robust columns on the patio, using locally quarried stone. A new second-floor guest room was also added, offering views of the 17th-century parish church's Gothic-style tower, an 1880 addition inspired by European postcards. Midy and Almada adhered to Gardner's request for a more understated Mexican interior design. They avoided extensive use of decorative elements like talavera tiles, except for a minimal application in the kitchen, and chose muted colors. However, they integrated rich local decorative resources, using jute from Yucatán for curtains, linens from local cotton mills, and furniture sourced from regional antiques shops. Even the traditional lime-and-pigment paint was mixed with San Miguel dirt to achieve a warmer tone. Midy and Almada also designed furniture and accessories for the house, such as iron sconces, a leather cocktail table, and bed linens. They collaborated with Zavala to create trench-like fountains inspired by hacienda horse troughs. The project concluded after a year, with Gardner expressing immense satisfaction, declaring the house fit for a king. #MexicanDesign #ArtistStudio #SanMiguelDeAllende #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #SpanishColonial #ArchitecturalRestoration #CasaMidy #LuxuryHome

The article details the renovation of a 1928 concrete bungalow in Reparto Dolores Patrón, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, by FMT Estudio. The homeowner, Catherine Schneider, acquired the property with a desire to respect its historical context and the unique character of the neighborhood. The house was originally part of a public works initiative in 1928, where small concrete homes (approximately 4x8 meters) with courtyards and shared wind vanes for water supply were distributed via a lottery system to the working class. Over the decades, many of these houses underwent alterations, including additions or complete demolition for larger constructions, often disrupting the original scale and community feel. Catherine's property had also seen several additions, resulting in a disjointed interior and a deteriorating backyard. However, her intention was not to demolish but to honor the existing history of the neighborhood, affectionately known as the "neighborhood of the grandparents." She commissioned local architects Zaida Briceño Ramos and Orlando Valente Franco Carrillo of FMT Estudio, known for their work in preserving and revitalizing local architecture. The architects embraced the challenge of uncovering and restoring the home's original essence while meeting Catherine's need for a streamlined and expanded floor plan. The renovation focused on transforming the original four small rooms into two larger, airier spaces: a living room and a combined kitchen and dining room. A screened-in porch was added along the rear facade, providing a transitional space. Furthermore, a second-level addition was incorporated, housing two guest suites and providing access to a rooftop deck. The architects consciously designed the upper-level addition to be set back, ensuring it did not overpower the original scale of the house or the surrounding neighborhood, thereby preserving its identity. Community connection was a key consideration in the design. The front fence, crafted from custom iron and concrete, was intentionally lowered. This design choice aimed to foster neighborly interaction, a value that the architects noted was diminishing in Merida's rapidly changing urban landscape due to new constructions like townhouses and tower apartments. The rear of the property was designed for privacy and relaxation, featuring a rehabilitated courtyard with a new pool and a standalone primary suite. The rooftop deck offers Catherine a tranquil spot for morning coffee, observing local parrots. The material palette of the home was kept minimal, predominantly using local iron, concrete, wood, and marble, reflecting Catherine's appreciation for craft and traditional techniques applied in modern ways. The exterior ironwork, a significant local material, was custom-designed with unique patterns. Inside, plaster walls were complemented by concrete-covered door thresholds with a hammered texture, providing subtle differentiation. The wood windows, made from durable local hardwood to resist humidity and insects, feature a custom muntin pattern that reinterprets traditional 1920s designs with reeded glass instead of stained glass, making the openings a key expressive element of the house. The project highlights a meticulous and thoughtful approach to renovation, emphasizing craftsmanship, historical respect, and community integration. #HomeRenovation #ArchitecturalPreservation #MeridaArchitecture #FMTEstudio #BungalowRemodel #HistoricalHomes #YucatanDesign #SustainableMaterials #CommunityIntegration

The UC House, a 5,920-square-foot residence located on the outskirts of Morelia, Mexico, blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Designed by Daniela Bucio Sistos, founder of a Mexico-based architecture and design firm, the home is characterized by its minimalist yet textured and warm aesthetic. A central foyer with a raised, circular ceiling features a tree growing through a hole in the floor, serving as a focal axis. Adjacent to this central point, a large glass wall reveals the library, which is considered the heart of the project. The design of the library was paramount, as the clients possessed an extensive collection of approximately 15,000 books, which previously filled every available space in their former home, including bathrooms and near the chimney. Sistos aimed to create contemplative spaces that diverge from traditional home aesthetics. Responding to the clients' desire for a single-floor residence without stairs for easy navigation, the UC House incorporates an open-plan living area that includes a lounge space, dining room, and kitchen. This area is situated at the back of the house and opens onto a patio with a ramp leading to a lush garden. The primary bedroom is also located at the rear, while three additional bedrooms are positioned towards the front facade of the property. The architect sought to achieve an almost monochromatic palette throughout the home, predominantly utilizing earthy tones such as red, brown, ochre, yellow, and beige. Sistos intentionally prioritized textural contrast over color variation to create a serene and contemporary atmosphere. All construction materials, including bricks and stone, were sourced locally to integrate the residence seamlessly with its surroundings. Additionally, Sistos collaborated with local copper artisans to incorporate decorative elements into some of the interior spaces, further grounding the home in its regional context. The resulting design provides a peaceful and modern sanctuary in Michoacán's capital. The project's credits attribute Daniela Bucio Sistos for the architectural design, general contracting, landscape design, lighting design, and interior design, with Victor Marín as the structural engineer. #MexicanArchitecture #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ModernHomeDesign #LibraryDesign #CircularMotifs #BrickAndConcrete #EarthyTones #MonochromaticPalette #SustainableMaterials

Muka Arquitectura has completed the Fuensanta House, a residential project in Ciudad Real, Spain. This unique dwelling serves as the inaugural structure in a largely undeveloped urban area, addressing the uncertainty of future adjacent constructions by adopting a fortress-like design. The house features ribbed concrete walls, distinguished by a corduroy-like texture, and is crowned with a pitched roof. Two substantial abutments extend above the main structure, contributing to its robust appearance. The exterior presents a small, recessed doorway within its brown concrete facade, emphasizing its self-contained nature. The architects chose this robust, isolated design due to the lack of existing architectural context or typological references in the surrounding unbuilt plots. The project's full integration and contextual meaning are anticipated to evolve as neighboring plots are developed, positioning the Fuensanta House as the initial element in the urban development of Ciudad Real. Three slender glass boxes vertically span the facade, accommodating a bathroom, a bar, and a staircase. These translucent elements are veiled with white frosted glass, featuring a ridged texture that visually complements the concrete, while simultaneously allowing natural light to permeate the interior spaces. The design intentionally conceals any overt domestic indicators, reinforcing the structure's singular and preparatory role within the evolving urban landscape. Internally, a double-height void centrally bisects the building. On one side of this void, a narrow galley kitchen and an adjoining dining room are situated. Below these, at the basement level, a toilet and a storage room are located. The opposing side of the void houses a reception room, a garage, and a utility room. The kitchen benefits from porthole skylights integrated into the concrete ceiling and wall, which project distinct light patterns onto the interior surfaces. A suspended corridor traverses the atrium, connecting the master bedroom, which is situated within the larger of the two end blocks, to a sauna located in the smaller block. The elevated walkway features steel base plates with slits, allowing light to filter through, and is secured to the ceiling by a series of metal cables. The interaction of sunlight entering through the glass bays with the textured concrete walls creates dynamic patterns of light and shadow, highlighting the material's rich characteristics. Behind the elevated walkway, four concrete cuboids are arranged between the two end blocks. Two of these cuboids house double-height bedrooms, characterized by wood-paneled interiors designed to enhance the vertical dimension. The remaining two cuboids are two-storey spaces, each containing a bathroom on the ground level and a study above, and are connected to the adjacent bedrooms. Curved metal rungs provide access to glass-fronted perches that project from each study. Each bedroom cubicle also incorporates a strip of glazing on its back wall for additional light and features a trio of teardrop-shaped bulbs. The external surfaces of the four volumes are illuminated by up-lights, emphasizing the textural details, crevices, and chips in the concrete, with low-consumption LEDs integrated into continuous strips within the concrete cracks for artificial lighting. #MukaArquitectura #FuensantaHouse #ConcreteArchitecture #SpanishArchitecture #ResidentialDesign #UrbanDevelopment #CiudadReal #TexturedConcrete

In 2021, graphic designer Victoria Herrera purchased her first home, a 900-square-foot apartment in Mexico City's Condesa neighborhood, with the intention of using it part-time and renting it out on Airbnb. The apartment's square layout with a central courtyard and numerous large windows, providing natural light in every room, were significant selling points. The existing architecture featured rounded elements, such as arched doorways and curved wall-to-ceiling transitions, which Herrera appreciated for their soft aesthetic against the industrial windows. Major renovations, including electrical and plumbing updates, had already been completed by the previous owners, allowing Herrera to focus her budget on decorating and selecting paint colors. Herrera aimed to infuse her home with a warm atmosphere that celebrated Mexican heritage, culture, and her Catholic upbringing. This inspiration led her to choose a yellow limewash for the bedroom walls, reminiscent of traditional Catholic convent walls. The apartment's entryway and hallway featured striking blue and black floor tiles. Although initially hesitant about these tiles, Herrera found that their integrated feel eventually inspired her to embrace bold color choices in other areas of the apartment. Her design philosophy successfully merges vintage and modern elements, exemplified by pairing a contemporary tulip table with antique chairs. A significant portion of Herrera's furnishing process involved frequent visits to Lagunilla Market, a large weekly furniture, vintage, and flea market in Mexico City. Over three months, she diligently explored the market every Sunday, learning how to navigate the vast array of goods, negotiate prices, and identify unique pieces. She developed a keen eye for spotting hidden treasures, often revisiting stalls multiple times to discover items that initially went unnoticed. Her finds included old artwork from Catholic convents, which contributed to the sense of tradition and beauty she sought to incorporate into her home. Beyond Lagunilla Market, Herrera also sourced items from other local establishments in Mexico City, such as El Resplandor Vidrio for blown glass, Pericon for artisan pottery, and Utilitario Mexicano for market-inspired decor and kitchenware. She also demonstrated creative resourcefulness, making custom throw pillows for the beds from "jerga" fabric, a common, inexpensive material typically used for cleaning, which she repurposed due to its graphic stripes and diverse color options. Among her most cherished market discoveries was a sun sculpture, initially found hidden in a pile of junk, which a friend later identified as a collectible Emaus Talleres piece. After completing the design, Herrera's plan to rent the apartment on Airbnb was put into action for about a year. However, she ultimately realized that she had furnished the space not as a temporary rental, but as a deeply personal home designed for her own living. This realization led her to move into the apartment herself, acknowledging that her design choices were intrinsically tailored to her own preferences and lifestyle rather than those of short-term tenants. #HomeTour #MexicoCityDesign #VintageDecor #SecondhandFinds #InteriorDesign #CulturalInspiration #GraphicDesignerHome #CondesaApartment

Stellah De Ville, a designer and ceramicist, found her calling in working with her hands, starting with ceramics classes in San Francisco in 2014. Her career, which began in fashion in Australia, evolved into interior and product design. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, De Ville relocated to Mexico, first to Oaxaca, where she opened Stellah Gallery and undertook a home renovation. During this period, frequent trips to Mexico City exposed her to the city's dynamic design and fine art scene, leading her to seek a more permanent residence there. Her search for a rental home led her to a 1930s Casona in La Roma, Mexico City, the second listing she encountered. Despite being back in Oaxaca at the time, her friends toured the property on her behalf, with one friend's enthusiastic reaction to the checkerboard flooring in an upstairs sunroom sealing De Ville's decision. She secured a five-year lease on the property, which had previously served as an office for a film production company for 12 years. The Casona required extensive work to transform it into a functional home and event space. Key challenges included the absence of hot water and gas, significant bathroom repairs, a full exterior paint job, and stucco damage. Her landlord provided funds for essential renovations, while De Ville personally oversaw additional improvements, such as cultivating a tropical garden. The house, named Casa de Reunión, has since become a venue for various events, including dinner parties for 25 guests, pop-up art shows, and even opera performances. De Ville emphasizes the humbling lessons learned from ceramics, particularly in embracing failure and imperfection. She describes the house as having a unique character, with almost every floor featuring a different pattern and color, including green, pink, and red. This diverse flooring, unusual in her native Australia, influenced her approach to incorporating color into her designs. The entryway floor, split by an earthquake, was partially re-tiled, and De Ville commissioned replacement tiles for existing holes, highlighting her commitment to preserving the home's original elements while addressing necessary repairs. Respecting the house's materiality was a central theme in her renovation. Original terrazzo elements, including the stairs and a previously damaged foyer shelf, were restored or recreated. For the kitchen terrazzo, De Ville selected pink, yellow, and green tones to integrate the house's existing color palette. This work was executed by women from a local factory found by architect Alberto Franco, involving a four-day installation. The original stained glass window was also partially restored using pieces discovered on-site. The age of the house meant there were no straight lines, adding to its unique charm. The casual dining area, designed to accommodate her cookbook collection, provided functional space. A cabinet found in the house mirrored the floor pattern, and a rug from her previous California home complemented the grid of the windows, creating a cohesive aesthetic. The bathroom featured original wall tiles and tub, with new, locally custom-made basket-weave flooring designed to appear aged. A saffron paint color, initially considered for the exterior courtyard, was instead used in the guest bedroom/office, demonstrating adaptability in design choices. Her creative workspace, accessible through the primary closet, allows her to engage in ceramics for three hours each morning before dedicating time to her custom furniture, lighting, and art collaboration business. The article concludes by showcasing De Ville's dedication to her craft and her integrated approach to living and working within her unique Mexico City home, which she hopes to activate as an artist residency. #MexicoCityHome #DesignerHomeTour #CeramicsStudio #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #ArtResidency #LaRoma #TileDesign #Terrazzo

Interior designer Galeana Younger transformed a 1929 cottage in San Antonio's historic Monte Vista neighborhood into "Casita Chica," a home tailored for her 77-year-old mother, Chica. Despite the house's faded original luster, Galeana saw its potential, embarking on a renovation that prioritized her mother's vibrant personality and Mexican heritage over resale value. The initial design choice was to convert the 1,666-square-foot house into a one-bedroom with 1.5 bathrooms, a layout Chica embraced, stating her intention to live there indefinitely. The renovation emphasized custom millwork throughout the library, kitchen, and pantry to accommodate Chica's extensive collections and treasures accumulated over a lifetime. Galeana champions built-in features for their functionality and aesthetic contribution. The home is characterized by bold colors, rich patterns, and layered textures, creating an inviting and dynamic atmosphere. Vintage items and family heirlooms are seamlessly integrated with new or reupholstered furniture, blending historical significance with contemporary comfort. Each room in Casita Chica showcases unique design elements. The entry foyer features a celadon Osborne and Little wallpaper print, a cherished item Chica had kept for decades, and a gold star motif echoed by an art installation from a church in Puebla, Mexico. A family heirloom, a red dresser nicknamed the “triple casket,” was updated with a marble top. The living room, designed for conversation, boasts a cheerful color scheme, a Persian rug from Chica's father, and armchairs re-covered in fabrics by Manuel Canovas and Christopher Farr. A vintage bar cart, fitted with circus-like wheels, and a skeleton souvenir from Cuernavaca, Mexico, named "Kelly, the Skelly," add eclectic touches. The kitchen is a vibrant space with four different tile patterns and an almost electric yellow paint, designed to be fun and lively. Space was borrowed from a back bedroom to create a pantry. The former breakfast room was converted into a bar and seating area, complete with custom cabinetry for storage and a display of orchids, Mexican pottery, and fresh fruit. The dining room features scenic Manuel Canovas wallpaper, complementing Chica's existing furniture and art, including an Old English chest and a rosewood dining set from her parents. A “Madonna and Child” artwork and a crystal chandelier enhance the room's Old World elegance, while gold foil and pink archway motifs by the late artist Gregorio Mannino add a personalized touch. The powder room stands out with its "Everyday Lips" wallpaper by Voutsa and red velvet doors, creating a playful, immersive experience. It includes a vintage mirror, Signature Hardware vanity, and Kohler plumbing fixtures. The bedroom was designed as a regal retreat for Chica, incorporating a curtain and canopy in fabrics by Manuel Canovas, Clarke and Clarke, and Texture Fabrics. The custom headboard was crafted by Ray’s Upholstery using Schumacher fabric. A vintage lamp from Oaxaca, Mexico, and bedding by Matouk and Sferra complete the luxurious feel. Finally, an extra bedroom was repurposed into a "Cloffice"—a combined closet and office space with integrated laundry units. Custom cabinets store a variety of items, including Chica’s extensive collection of huipiles and traditional Mexican costumes. The cabinet doors, painted in Behr’s “Heart Breaker” pink, feature bamboo molding from Osborne Wood and hardware from Etsy, reflecting Chica's passion for Mexican art and textiles. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #HouseTour #EclecticDecor #MexicanHeritage #CustomMillwork #VibrantColors #FamilyHeirlooms #SanAntonio

This article, drawing from Newell Turner's new book "Mexican: A Journey Through Design," explores the rich history of Mexican decor by examining nine distinct periods that have shaped its unique aesthetic. The journey begins with the Pre-Columbian era, highlighting the advanced civilizations of the Maya and Aztecs. The Maya, residing in the Yucatán Peninsula, developed sophisticated agricultural techniques, salt harvesting, and pottery, along with an intricate understanding of astronomy and a numbering system incorporating zero. The Aztecs, in central Mexico, constructed impressive stone cities like Tenochtitlán, characterized by cosmic orientations and a multicultural urban fabric. Next, the article delves into the Baroque period, which emerged in the late 16th century. This style allowed both Spanish colonizers and indigenous Mexican populations to express spiritual passions through architecture and design. While the Spanish used Baroque to assert power, indigenous artisans, with their long-standing traditions in stonemasonry, plasterwork, and weaving, instinctively integrated their vision, leading to a distinct Mexican Baroque style that flourished until the mid-18th century. The Colonial period, spanning 300 years after the fall of Tenochtitlán in 1521, saw the Spanish Empire leave an indelible mark on Mexican design. Both the conquistadors and religious orders utilized architecture to claim land, constructing cathedrals, convents, plantations, and grand houses. These structures drew heavily from Mediterranean design, particularly the Spanish convivencia, blending European styles with ancient New World building techniques and craftsmanship. French influence arrived during the Neoclassical period, especially prominent during President Porfirio Díaz's tenure from 1877 to 1911. French Neoclassicism, associated with ideals of liberty, became a symbol of Mexican independence. This style updated Spanish colonial facades and influenced public government buildings and small businesses, adding a sophisticated layer to Mexican architectural heritage. Art Nouveau, though a transitional style in Mexico, made significant appearances in public buildings like Mexico City's Palacio de Bellas Artes. Key elements, such as iron and glass canopies, found both decorative and functional uses in homes. Hints of the style were also evident in interior decorative painting, pasta tile patterns, and colored glasswork, marking the end of the Porfiriato Era's decorative influence. The Art Deco movement, prevalent in the early 20th century, saw Mexico embracing its progressive, international message. A unique variation, Mayan Deco, emerged, blending traditional ancient Maya architectural motifs and geometric imagery with Art Deco's bold lines. This resulted in a wealth of urban homes featuring concrete construction and decorative applications, as well as influencing Mexico's distinctive pasta tiles and fine jewelry production. Surrealism, originating in Europe, found a fertile ground in Mexico due to its freedom from traditional constraints and celebration of the subconscious. Roman Catholicism's artistic expressions and Mexico's existing blend of indigenous cultures and magical realism provided a welcoming environment for Surrealism to flourish in fine art, decorative arts, and architecture. Modernism in Mexico, particularly from the mid-20th century, uniquely combined ancient hand-built architectural traditions and indigenous monumentalism with a focus on warmth and human needs. Exemplified by architects like Louis Barragán, Mexican Modernism integrated color and texture, creating a vernacular language that continues to evolve. Finally, Contemporary Mexican design, while technically referring to the present, defines a freeform style that integrates endless historical references with unrestrained freedom. Technology plays a crucial role, enabling diverse expressions in decorative arts and architecture. This period is marked by new dialogues, particularly across the Americas, leading to a distinct Mexican design emerging on the international stage, blending the past and future in a vibrant, conscious manner, echoing the Mexicanidad movement without its political connotations. #MexicanDecor #DesignHistory #PreColumbian #BaroqueArchitecture #ColonialStyle #NeoclassicalDesign #ArtNouveau #ArtDeco #Surrealism #Modernism #ContemporaryDesign #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalStyles

This article details the transformation of a modernist glass-and-steel villa in Guadalajara, Mexico, into a warm, colorful, and charming family home. The homeowners, a young family, enlisted their longtime friend, designer Alejandra Redo, to infuse personality and coziness into the architecturally sleek 6,500-square-foot residence. Architects Imanol Legorreta and Pablo Sepúlveda meticulously crafted the two-level house from steel, glass, and wood, with concrete, zinc, and walnut cladding, strategically designed to embrace Guadalajara's climate and natural light. However, the owners desired a more inviting interior, which led them to Redo, known for her vibrant use of color and pattern. Redo's approach to decorating the modern space involved a careful curation of individual pieces rather than her usual whimsical style. Her first significant acquisition was a midcentury black-and-gold table lamp by Arturo Pani, which became the focal point of the living room. The color palette in the living room is muted, featuring deep gray velour sofas and an ottoman, complemented by two red velvet chairs that add warmth, echoing the hues of an antique Persian rug. Mexican fabrics are prominently featured, with rebozos draped over furniture and cushions made from local textiles, reflecting Redo’s signature aesthetic. The dining room, adjacent to the living area, features Mexican walnut paneling that contrasts with the cool steel structure and marble surfaces, providing a sense of warmth. The entrance hall showcases Redo's eclectic sensibility, with a pine tree piercing both the ceiling and floor. A modern painting by Cuban-born artist Leslie Sardinias is displayed above a reproduction Louis XV console, and a custom Venetian-style mirror adds an artistic touch to the guest bath. Redo emphasizes her comfort in mixing different periods, colors, and designers to create an eclectic environment. The family room is another example of Redo’s unique design philosophy, anchored by a silk wall hanging crafted from a traditional Bhutanese man's robe. This is juxtaposed with a geometric cotton rug designed by Redo and made in India. The space also features a vintage Arco floor lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, a family heirloom, alongside a modern sofa and Wegner cowhide Shell chairs, demonstrating a blend of new and old. This room opens onto a garden and a deck, facilitating family gatherings and entertaining. Bedrooms, located downstairs, are characterized by their simplicity and abundant natural light. Redo incorporated playful colors for the children's rooms, with a pink scheme for the girl and a blue-and-red theme for the boy. An eccentric detail in the boy's room is the red wallpaper featuring leaping zebras pursued by arrows, a design reminiscent of Gino's, a historic Italian restaurant in New York. This touch highlights Redo’s ability to bring a lively and personal spirit to the serene modernist house, ultimately making the contemporary architecture feel cozy and lived-in. #InteriorDesign #ModernArchitecture #MexicanDecor #HomeDecor #EclecticStyle #GuadalajaraHome #ResidentialDesign

Estudio MMX designed CBC House in Lomas de Chapultepec, Mexico City, to integrate a substantial garden into a 1,000-square-meter plot that also needed to accommodate a full-sized house. The clients' request for a 1,000-square-meter garden on a lot of the same size presented a challenge, which the architects resolved by conceptualizing the garden as a three-dimensional, interconnected system of open spaces that seamlessly weaves throughout the residence. This approach allowed for the creation of a vast garden experience without sacrificing the living space requirements. The architectural solution manifested as an L-shaped structure positioned on a corner of the property. Above the home's public areas, two large platforms were constructed to support expansive, planted terraces. This terraced layout serves a dual purpose: it visually and physically connects the upper levels of the house to the surrounding garden and introduces a softer, organic element that contrasts with the building's robust concrete aesthetic. Diego Ricalde, one of the partners at Estudio MMX, articulated this strategy, emphasizing the garden as a unifying element. The design thoughtfully segregates the garden into distinct zones, enabling both active entertaining spaces and quiet, plant-filled retreats. By strategically placing heavier shrubs, bushes, and flowering plants on the second-floor terraces and along the property's perimeter, the architects created a spacious outdoor living area at the center of the property, furnished with contemporary outdoor pieces. This ensures that the primary ground-level garden remains open and conducive to gatherings, while lush greenery is still abundant throughout the property. The house itself is constructed from a distinctive yellow-tinted concrete, which gives the geometric form a warm and inviting appearance, despite its material robustness. Estudio MMX favors poured concrete for its ability to honestly express structural integrity and geometry without the need for additional surface finishes. This material choice, combined with extensive glass curtain walls and large windows, contributes to an airy interior. The design facilitates a continuous connection with the outdoors, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Inside, the residence offers a dynamic spatial experience. Large windows frame distant city views and intimate glimpses of the immediate verdant surroundings. The design intentionally incorporates variations in scale, height, and light, allowing occupants to experience a changing environment as they move through the home and its site. The garden remains a constant presence, reinforcing a lifestyle centered around outdoor living. Glass curtain walls on the first floor merge the interior living room with its outdoor counterpart, while bedrooms on upper levels provide framed views of the elevated gardens. Estudio MMX, founded in 2010 by Jorge Arvizu, Ignacio del Río, Emmanuel Ramírez, and Diego Ricalde, specializes in designs that integrate architecture with nature. The CBC House project exemplifies their philosophy of creating spaces that allow inhabitants to fully engage with their environment. The project involved collaboration with Ángel Olavarrieta for construction, Alejandro Flores for structural engineering, Entorno Taller de Paisaje for landscape design, Luz en Arquitectura for lighting design, and Adriana Olmedo/Taller de Arquitectura de Interiores for interior design, with cabinetry designed by Estudio MMX. #MexicoCityArchitecture #TerracedGardens #ConcreteHomes #IndoorOutdoorLiving #EstudioMMX #LomasDeChapultepec #ModernDesign #LandscapeIntegration

Rustic home decor is experiencing a significant resurgence, with a particular focus on the Mexican farmhouse aesthetic. Pinterest data indicates a substantial increase in searches for Spanish Mediterranean kitchens and Mexican farmhouse decor, characterized by earthy patterned tiles and rustic terracotta elements. This trend stands in contrast to minimalist, sleek, and modern designs, appealing to those who appreciate imperfections, handmade items, and rich colors in their living spaces. The design firm Bungalowe, led by Karan and Sapna Aggarwal, exemplifies this style in their recently renovated Los Angeles home, which draws inspiration from their travels to Oaxaca, Mexico, and the Ojai Valley Inn. Their home features hand-painted tiles from Old Mexico on baseboards and accent walls, seamlessly blending historic Spanish architecture with an earthy color palette and eclectic furniture. The Mexican farmhouse style, described as an elevated boho aesthetic, creates a timeless, vacation-like ambiance. Key elements include clay vases, dried flowers, wooden kitchenware, and emerald green zellige tiles, which celebrate nature's organic beauty and imperfections. Chris Alexakis of CabinetSelect notes that homeowners are increasingly opting for cozier kitchen spaces that connect with the natural world. Achieving this look involves incorporating colorful, uniquely patterned tiles and rustic terracotta decorations, contributing to a warm and natural atmosphere. The Aggarwals' renovation transformed their one-bedroom, one-bath home into a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath, plus office, while preserving its original Spanish character. Interior materials were carefully chosen to honor the home's history, featuring handmade and hand-painted decorative tiles from Old Mexico and Moroccan Zellige from Zia Tile. An arched nook with colorful tiling offers a distinctive alternative to traditional paint or wallpaper. The office addition is designed as a peaceful retreat with a soothing color palette, including Benjamin Moore Brazilian Rainforest paint, pottery-lined built-in shelves, and linen club chairs. The bedrooms maintain a minimalist aesthetic, incorporating cozy, luxurious linens and handmade textures, with a wrought iron bed providing a vintage touch. Microcement on the interior walls adds to the rustic beauty, exemplified by a unique wavy sink. Terracotta tile floors, a beautiful alternative to oak, are used throughout, with Saltillo tiles linking indoor and outdoor living areas. A fringe blanket in breezy white complements the elegant yet rustic feel, while repeated tile patterns and arched nooks ensure visual coherence. Built-in cabinetry with open shelving provides both practical storage and display space for pottery and handmade baskets, with warm wood tones complementing the tile work. The repetition of green zellige tiles in various spaces, such as the bathroom, creates design simplicity and a seamless transition between areas. Pottery and plants enhance the inviting atmosphere of the bath. Further decorative elements include colorful ceramic tiles with warm wooden shelving. Personal touches like baskets, plants, and travel mementos contribute to a warm and inviting home, enhanced by light fixtures designed to evoke a vacation ambiance. Unique rustic sinks serve as artistic focal points in serene settings. The outdoor area, designed for Los Angeles' indoor/outdoor living, extends the rustic aesthetic with a lounge under a tree with hanging lanterns, a dining area with city views, a terraced garden, and a versatile carport for entertaining. This comprehensive design approach ensures a cohesive and tranquil living environment. #MexicanFarmhouse #RusticDecor #HomeDecorTrends #InteriorDesign #SpanishArchitecture #HandmadeTiles #TerracottaDecor #BungaloweDesign #OaxacaInspired

Spanish-style homes are renowned for their warm and inviting aesthetics, seamlessly blending traditional design elements with modern sensibilities. Key features of this architectural style include stucco walls, red terracotta roofs, decorative wrought iron accents, and arched windows or doorways. Dark wood beams and tiled designs are also common, contributing to their distinctive character. These homes, whether single-story or multi-level, often incorporate detailed landscaping and feature courtyards or other outdoor areas, fostering a strong connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces. This integration enhances opportunities for entertaining and relaxation. Designers emphasize that Spanish-style homes often feature thoughtful architectural details. Laura Roberts, a designer, notes that stucco walls, terracotta roof tiles, and inner courtyards were originally designed for natural cooling. She also highlights the presence of wooden support beams on ceilings, decorative doors and windows, and ornamental ironwork as quintessential elements. The exterior design of these homes is adaptable, even for existing structures. Roberts suggests that neutral white or beige stucco, accented with terracotta or patterned tiles around windows, on stair risers, or walkways, can effectively introduce a Spanish flair. Color plays a significant role in Spanish-style homes. Raymond Jimenez, another designer, points out that experimenting with colors like terracottas, blues, yellows, white, black, and green can elevate the home's appearance, embodying a rich and timeless aesthetic. The emphasis on indoor-outdoor living is a defining characteristic, with the design aiming to create a laid-back, vacation-like atmosphere that promotes warmth and calm. Iron accents are commonly found on exteriors, used for gates, stair railings, or light fixtures. Allison Knizek suggests that while wrought iron is typically black, painting it a glossy color can provide an updated look. For interiors, Roberts explains that smooth plaster walls, arched cutouts between rooms, vibrant accents, and the use of linen in furniture and window treatments contribute to an authentic Spanish look. Lush landscaping is also crucial, with Jimenez emphasizing that thick, rich greenery creates a personal paradise feel. Terracotta, beyond roof tiles, can be incorporated through collections of terracotta pots against a bright white stucco wall, especially when paired with vibrant bougainvillea, to evoke a sun-kissed Spanish hacienda appearance. Decorative tiles are another fundamental element, used on outdoor benches or indoors, available in various styles and price points. Curves and arches are recurrent motifs, often incorporated into doorways as a standalone feature or painted an accent color to complement the room. Some Spanish-style homes also feature Mediterranean-style pools, which blend seamlessly with the architecture and are often surrounded by lush lawns and landscaping. While sharing similarities, Spanish-style and Mediterranean-style homes have distinct differences, particularly in their exteriors; Spanish homes feature stucco walls and tile roofs, while Mediterranean homes typically have plaster walls and red clay roof tiles, often with more than two stories and balconies. Spanish-style homes originated in 16th-century Spain and became prevalent in the 17th century, especially in regions with similar climates to Spain, such as modern-day Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, and Nevada. Different styles include Spanish Colonial Revival, Mission Revival (common in California and the Southwest, emulating Spanish missions), Pueblo Revival (also known as Santa Fe Style, adapting Adobe-style with modern materials), and Spanish Eclectic (a blanket term for modern mashups of various Spanish elements). Modernizing these homes can involve focusing on organic materials, incorporating textures, adding metal accents, and using earthy tones. The typical roof is made of barrel terracotta clay tiles. Benefits include striking architectural elements, natural cooling in warmer climates, and durable, low-maintenance exteriors. #SpanishStyleHomes #HomeDesign #InteriorDecor #ArchitecturalDetails #OutdoorLiving #Terracotta #WroughtIron #TileDesign #LushLandscaping #MediterraneanInfluence

Contemporary Mexican architecture showcases a remarkable fluidity between indoor and outdoor spaces, a tradition deeply rooted in the country's historical architectural practices and influenced by its climate and cultural values. This design philosophy, which dates back to ancient structures like the palaces of Teotihuacan and colonial apartments centered around loggias, emphasizes seamless transitions between sheltered interiors and open-air environments. Mexican modernists of the mid-20th century, such as Luis Barragán and Enrique del Moral, were pivotal in integrating the International Style with local conditions, viewing gardens as extensions of interior rooms and designing homes that, while appearing private from the street, opened expansively to natural surroundings through courtyards and terraces. More recent architects like Alberto Kalach and Mauricio Rocha have continued this legacy, with contemporary firms developing even more innovative solutions to maximize the landscape. These approaches include large openings, strategic framing of vistas, fully retractable walls, and carefully selected material palettes that enhance the connection to nature. Five examples illustrate this diverse spectrum. Manuel Cervantes's homes near Mexico City exemplify how design can respond to topography. His own home in Amatepec, spread across multiple levels, uses the site's natural slope to create permeability. An existing jacaranda tree forms the basis for an aromatic entrance garden, while a spacious living room with pivotable floor-to-ceiling windows dissolves the barrier between inside and out. Planted inner spaces enclosed in glass offer private natural experiences, and the white brick exterior, clad in ceramic, organically blends with the green environment, allowing the climate to be sensed even indoors. Casa Mague, designed by MCxA in Malinalco, prioritizes existing vegetation. Built in 2020, its design respects the site's abundant trees, weaving a series of flexible, open, and closed spaces around the natural elements, sometimes allowing tree branches to penetrate the structure. This constant interplay between indoor and outdoor maximizes occupant interaction with the surrounding forest, using elements like latticed screen walls and glazed enclosures to blur boundaries. Material choices are also crucial in contemporary Mexican architecture for reinforcing indoor-outdoor continuity. Architects frequently select earthy materials in neutral tones, such as stone and cement tiles, to harmonize interiors with the exterior landscape. Casa Tejocote in Querétaro, designed by González Muchow Architects, uses high walls of pigmented rose-colored concrete to echo the region's colonial heritage and arid landscape. The design prioritizes privacy, with four modules arranged around a central garden and connected by bridges. Precise incisions in the stone walls frame views, creating strong links to the outside, while every space is partially open to a courtyard or garden, reflecting a modern evolution of del Moral's patio-centric prototypes. Fernanda Canales, a prominent female architect, reinterprets the patio as a hallmark of her practice. Her Recreo House (2017) in Valle de Bravo, built with local materials like gray stone, clay tiles, and timber, integrates a central patio as the heart of the home. This focal point connects access, service, and private areas to generous social spaces. The dining and living areas are extremely open, situated between the main courtyard and a large terrace with pool and views. L-shaped resting areas are near a more intimate patio, blending wild surroundings with privacy. Breezeways between bedrooms create covered, interstitial outdoor spaces. Casa Zicatela in Oaxaca, designed by Ludwig Godefroy in 2015, offers a radical paradigm. This compact weekend house, overlooking the Pacific, is almost entirely built from silvery concrete. Conceived as a 'country house by the sea,' its fortified exterior provides protection and privacy while echoing nearby mountains. Inside, open space abounds, resembling a mysterious concrete playground with no conventional indoor-outdoor boundaries. Rooms are arranged around a garden, with an open-air corridor and loggia-like areas, and a central structure housing living, dining, and kitchen areas seamlessly extending into the courtyard. Steps like a Mayan pyramid lead to a second level observatory, immersing occupants in the vibrant blue sky and surrounding landscape, where concrete walls and wood details contrast vividly. #MexicanArchitecture #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ContemporaryDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #HomeTours #DesignInspiration #SustainableDesign

San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its colonial architecture, is home to Casa Hoyos, a newly opened 16-room hotel. The hotel, housed in a historic building dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, underwent a significant transformation led by Mexico City–based design firm A-G Studio. The goal was to honor the Hoyos family legacy, who have owned the property since the early 20th century, while showcasing contemporary Mexican artistic and cultural offerings. The building, originally a traditional Spanish residence with a central patio, had a varied past, including serving as a currency exchange bureau and a grain and seed store. These commercial activities inspired the current fourth-generation Hoyos owners to create a unique blend of historical preservation and modern design. A-G Studio faced the challenge of working within strict regulatory parameters due to the city's historic designation. Their approach involved restoring the main courtyard while constructing contemporary spaces in the rear, requiring meticulous approval for every renovation detail. This combination of restoration and modern design successfully captured the essence of San Miguel de Allende, creating an authentic and distinctive space. A key design element is the extensive use of vibrant, glazed tiles throughout the hotel, extending beyond traditional bathrooms and kitchens into living areas and patios. These brightly colored tiles adorn walls and arches, reflecting sunlight and adding a lively dimension to the interiors. The color choices are symbolically significant; yellow tiles represent the corncob, a staple in Mexican cuisine, while salmon-colored tiles around the arches are derived from the Hoyos family shield. The design draws inspiration from three pivotal moments in the Hoyos family's history, influencing material selection and decorative elements. This includes incorporating original furniture from the building's time as a bank and an altar with roots in the Iberian Peninsula, the Hoyos' ancestral origin, to weave the building's narrative into its furnishings. Emphasis was placed on collaborating with Mexican artists and craftspeople for furniture, textiles, plantings, and tiles, ensuring that the design resonated with the region's rich heritage while embracing a contemporary voice. Examples include handwoven wool gobelins by Melissa Ávila, created using ancient Oaxacan techniques, and other wool textiles handmade in Guanajuato. Artwork typical of various Mexican states, such as a talavera mural depicting a Sorrowful Virgin of Loreto, further enrich the local aesthetic. Black is strategically used as a neutral throughout the hotel, providing a unifying element. It acts as an accent framing arched openings in the courtyard, outlines the rooftop pool, and is consistently applied to furniture frames and the enclosed elevator lobby. This thoughtful use of black allows it to harmoniously integrate with bold colors and diverse textures, enhancing the overall design. The rooftop also features a pool and terrace bar, BEKEB, which utilizes red tones, from terra-cotta floor tiles to bright lounge chairs, contributing to a vibrant and cohesive aesthetic. #MexicanHotel #SanMiguelDeAllende #TileDesign #HistoricPreservation #InteriorDesign #CulturalHeritage #LocalArtisans #BoutiqueHotel #ArchitecturalRenovation

Herchell Arquitectos designed Casa Patio, a split-level residence in San Sebastián del Oeste, Jalisco, Mexico, that allows the owner to rent out a portion of the home while maintaining privacy. The design is configured in an H-shape to preserve two existing avocado trees on the site, which stand over 20 meters tall. These trees inspired the creation of central courtyards that integrate with nature. The owner's living spaces, comprising four bedrooms and bathrooms, are situated on the ground floor, encircling the main courtyard. All these rooms open directly onto this lush central area. Due to the steep terrain, the courtyard is terraced into multiple levels. Herchell Arquitectos incorporated exposed walkways and stairs, leveraging the region's favorable climate. The kitchen and dining room are enclosed by sliding glass walls, and the living room features a fireplace that is accessible from both the interior and exterior. An independent rental property is located on the upper level, accessible via a spiral staircase on one side of the house. This upper level contains four additional bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. This setup is described as a "boutique hotel concept," allowing the homeowner to rent out these four rooms independently without compromising their private living space below. The windows of the rental units face away from the central courtyard, ensuring the privacy of the owner's ground-floor living areas. Herchell Arquitectos aimed to challenge conventional living standards and how inhabitants interact with their spaces daily. The primary structure of the house utilizes steel, but local materials were prioritized for cladding and interior finishes. Local clay bricks form the majority of the ground-floor walls, while charred pine boards cover the upstairs volume. Fast-growing reeds were used for several ceilings, imparting an artisanal aesthetic to the interiors. This project reflects a trend in Mexico where new developments are designed to accommodate both tourists and local residents, exemplified by a Cancún residential project that combines short-term rentals with traditional leases. The photography of Casa Patio is credited to Herchell Arquitectos. #MexicanArchitecture #CourtyardHouse #BoutiqueHotelConcept #ResidentialDesign #HerchellArquitectos #Mexico #SustainableMaterials #SplitLevelHome