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      Mestiz celebrates artisan collaborations at colourful Mexico studio

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      Mexican design studio Mestiz has opened a showroom and workshop within a historic building in San Miguel de Allende, where its brightly hued collaborations with local craftspeople take pride of place.

      The studio space is located on Pasaje Allende in the heart of the central Mexican city, renowned for its colonial-era architecture and arts scene.
      Mestiz opened its new studio as a space to present its colourful furniture and homewareMestiz founder Daniel Valero collaborates with a variety of skilled local artisans to create furniture and homeware using ancestral crafts.
      “In our studio, partnerships aren’t short-lived; they’re built to last,” he said. “We’ve nurtured long-term relationships with artisans, where learning and creating are an ongoing process.”
      Rough plaster walls of the remodelled space provide a neutral backdrop for the brightly hued designsPieces from Mestiz’s collection fill the interior of the studio, which occupies a remodelled stone building designed as a “wild habitat” brimming with personality.

      “It was once a kitchen,” Valero explained, “and now it’s a space that respects the idea of Mexican cuisine, infusing it into our creative sanctuary.”
      Ledges covered in glossy tiles provide places to display smaller items the in the showroomThe studio comprises three principal spaces. In the showroom, the original wooden beams and the brick ceiling are exposed, and rough buttery plaster covers the walls.
      Ledges and podiums clad in glossy tiles provide places for small items like spiky vessels and framed pictures to be displayed.
      In the workshop, red benches are used for assembling the designsLarger furniture pieces like a triangular table and chairs with tufty backrests are arranged across the floor.
      Meanwhile, textile artworks decorate the walls and huge, fibrous pink light fixtures hang overhead.

      Colourful tiles and Mexican craft feature in Casa Hoyos hotel by AG Studio

      “Our creations aren’t just pieces; they’re stories,” said Valero.
      “We believe in crafting designs that engage in profound dialogues with the context and history of each community we work with.”
      A pink-toned storage room is also filled with products, which are all made from natural materialsThe workshop is situated in a lean-to at the side of the building, where the rough stone walls are visible on two sides and other surfaces are left untreated.
      Red-painted benches for assembling items and storing natural materials – palm, wood, wool, wicker and ceramic – are surrounded by partially completed designs.
      Mestiz partners with artisans across Mexico to preserve and celebrate craft traditionsA pink-hued storage room is also packed with products, from wicker lights suspended from the ceiling to tall totems in blue, pink and purple stood in the corners.
      “Our practice is a living testament to the merging of traditions,” Valero said. “Our pieces are the embodiment of cultural syncretism, where diverse influences converge to create something entirely new.”
      The studio is located in a historic stone building in San Miguel de AllendeThe rich creative spirit of San Miguel de Allende is also presented at the city’s Casa Hoyos hotel, where colourful tiles and local craft fill a former Spanish colonial manor.
      Other Mexican designers continuing local traditions through their work include Fernando Laposse, who uses corn waste to create a marquetry material, and Christian Vivanco, who launched a rattan furniture collection with Balsa.
      The photography is by Pepe Molina.

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      Ludwig Godefroy prioritises garden for “timeless” family home in Mexico

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      Mexico-based architect Ludwig Godefroy has completed the renovation of a”simple” house and studio in Mexico for himself and his family that is integrated with an adjacent garden.

      Godefroy and his partner renovated a former residence, focusing on the home’s orientation towards the site’s pre-existing greenspace.
      Ludwig Godefroy has completed a house and studio for himself and his family in Mexico”Casa SanJe is a very simple project,” said Godefroy. “The main idea behind the project was to reconnect the house with its garden, opening large windows everywhere on the ground floor. In and out are always connected in this house.”
      Almost half of the square site is dedicated to the garden, while the other half contains the architect’s residence.
      It is organized around the site’s substantial garden”Casa SanJe was an ordinary Mexican house from the ’80s, without any style, a simple house with tiles on the floor and texturized plaster finishing on the walls,” said Godefroy.

      The architect replaced the former materials with concrete, wood and tezontle – a red volcanic stone – to “calm down the atmosphere of the house”.
      Godefroy renovated a house originally built in the 80sThe ground level of the home contains two entrances protected by iron doors.
      A car park sits adjacent to the building’s first entrance, which is accessed through a patio populated with stone, planting beds and a concrete and brick sculpture.
      The ground floor contains large windows and doors that open directly into the gardenA second entrance is located further into the garden and leads to a vestibule space at the centre of the ground-level plan.
      The interior program circulates around the vestibule, with the kitchen, dining area and living room located opposite the architect’s studio and library.
      It is made of concrete with wood and stone elementsThe kitchen and studio spaces were pushed along the back wall of the house, with slim windows placed periodically among cabinets and shelves.
      On the side opposite, Godefroy installed large doors and windows that open the living room directly into the garden.
      Furniture like a dining table and shelving was also made of concreteMuch of the interior furniture was made of caste concrete, like the living room sofa, the dining table, side tables, kitchen shelving and an island. And some are built directly into the floor.
      Godefroy’s studio also contains concrete shelving and a concrete desk that runs along the wall.
      A wall clad in volcanic stone rungs along the back of the houseIn the same space, a wall was clad in warm wood panels, while a vaulted ceiling sits above the architect’s desk. A chimney sits adjacent.
      Like some of Godefroy’s previous projects, geometric openings were cut into interior walls.

      Ludwig Godefroy creates “habitable gardens” using massive skylights in Mexico

      An exposed wall made of red volcanic stone runs along the back wall of the house.
      Located between the kitchen and living room, a wooden staircase leads to the second floor, which contains bedrooms and a primary bath.
      The architect’s studio opens onto the entrance patioThe primary bath contains a sunken, circular cutout in the floor, with multiple shower heads for bathing.
      In one corner, a spigot drops water onto a stepped feature.
      An upstairs bathroom features a circular, sunken floorConcrete was used for the ceiling, walls and floor.
      Native plants were placed throughout the house, with a large semi-circle planter made of concrete placed above the house’s entrance.
      “We wanted the space to become timeless, out of any trend or decoration, just made out of simple material, able to get old instead of getting damaged under the action of time,” said the architect.
      Godefroy recently completed a number of projects in and around Mexico City, including a brutalist cube-shaped home and a hotel that recalls the design of an Oaxacan temple.
      The photography is by Edmund Sumner.

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      Sophía Betancur references nearby church for Pizzeria Della Madonna

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      A neighbouring church informed the layout and design of this pizzeria in Mexico City, in which architect Sophía Betancur placed the oven in full view.

      The Pizzeria Della Madonna is located next to the Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia, a church in the city’s Roma Norte neighbourhood built in 1910.
      A halo-like stainless steel frame is one of the many religious references at Pizzeria Della Madonna”The temple reflects a mixture of neo-Romanesque, neo-Gothic, and eclectic styles,” said Betancur, who is based in Mexico City. “The semicircular arches, Corinthian columns and wooden benches arranged throughout the nave are elements reinterpreted in the spatial proposal of the project.”
      Inside the 98-square-metre, L-shaped space, the pizza oven is placed in the crossing — directly visible from the restaurant’s glass doors.
      The distressed plaster walls of the restaurant are reminiscent of an old Italian churchIts sculptural rounded form is framed by a halo-like stainless steel structure suspended from the ceiling, providing a shelf on which hot pizzas can be placed.

      Curved lines following the oven’s shape are traced across the floor, as well as on the ceiling in the form of track lighting that extends through the space.
      The dining area is laid out like a nave, with seating on either side of a central pathwayThroughout the restaurant, distressed plaster walls create the effect of eating in an old Italian church.
      “The rustic finish on the walls reveals multiple layers of paint that reflect almost a century of history of the house, which in the past housed homes and different commercial and retail projects,” the architect said.
      The open kitchen features ceramic and terracotta tilesThe dining space at the front of the restaurant is laid out like a nave, with wooden bench seating and tables on each side and a path up the middle.
      “The concept is complemented by historical, pictorial research and the symbology of the Virgin Mary and Marian architecture in Europe, from which forms, colors, materials and spatial qualities are taken up,” said Betancur.

      Studio Wok designs cavernous pizza restaurant to recall rocky coves of Sardinia

      “In this way, the proposal turns out to be a tribute to Mexican neo-colonial style and Italian religious architecture and iconography.”
      Further seating is located in the perpendicular branch, or transcept, of the “L”, where a mirrored wall at the end makes the space appear larger.
      In a “transcept”, further seating is reflected in a mirrored wallIn the kitchen area, ceramic tiles cover the wall surfaces, while terracotta tiles of a similar size and shape the front of the service counter.
      “The blend of the open kitchen and bar with the dining room translates into a balanced combination of practical and utilitarian materials typical of industrial kitchens and warm materials that provide elegance and comfort,” Betancur said.
      The restaurant is located in Mexico City’s lively Roma Norte neighbourhoodServing one of the world’s most popular foods, pizza restaurants take many forms and styles across the globe, but many feature some reference to its home country.
      In New York, Büro Koray Duman drew on Neopolitan culture for the interiors of Simo, while at Dough Pizza in Perth, Ohlo Studio used materials that evoke the “rustic sophistication” of Italy.
      The photography is by Arturo Arrieta.
      Project credits:
      Architecture: Sofía BetancurDesign team: Cesar Ávila G y Sergio Bau.Engineers: Leonel NavaVisual identity: Faena StudioConstruction: Factor EficienciaWoodwork: Taller Nacional y Solana EstudioLighting: Martín Leal

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      Sofía Betancur references nearby church for Pizzeria Della Madonna

      by

      A neighbouring church informed the layout and design of this pizzeria in Mexico City, in which architect Sofía Betancur placed the oven in full view.

      The Pizzeria Della Madonna is located next to the Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia, a church in the city’s Roma Norte neighbourhood built in 1910.
      A halo-like stainless steel frame is one of the many religious references at Pizzeria Della Madonna”The temple reflects a mixture of neo-Romanesque, neo-Gothic, and eclectic styles,” said Betancur, who is based in Mexico City. “The semicircular arches, Corinthian columns and wooden benches arranged throughout the nave are elements reinterpreted in the spatial proposal of the project.”
      Inside the 98-square-metre, L-shaped space, the pizza oven is placed in the crossing — directly visible from the restaurant’s glass doors.
      The distressed plaster walls of the restaurant are reminiscent of an old Italian churchIts sculptural rounded form is framed by a halo-like stainless steel structure suspended from the ceiling, providing a shelf on which hot pizzas can be placed.

      Curved lines following the oven’s shape are traced across the floor, as well as on the ceiling in the form of track lighting that extends through the space.
      The dining area is laid out like a nave, with seating on either side of a central pathwayThroughout the restaurant, distressed plaster walls create the effect of eating in an old Italian church.
      “The rustic finish on the walls reveals multiple layers of paint that reflect almost a century of history of the house, which in the past housed homes and different commercial and retail projects,” the architect said.
      The open kitchen features ceramic and terracotta tilesThe dining space at the front of the restaurant is laid out like a nave, with wooden bench seating and tables on each side and a path up the middle.
      “The concept is complemented by historical, pictorial research and the symbology of the Virgin Mary and Marian architecture in Europe, from which forms, colors, materials and spatial qualities are taken up,” said Betancur.

      Studio Wok designs cavernous pizza restaurant to recall rocky coves of Sardinia

      “In this way, the proposal turns out to be a tribute to Mexican neo-colonial style and Italian religious architecture and iconography.”
      Further seating is located in the perpendicular branch, or transcept, of the “L”, where a mirrored wall at the end makes the space appear larger.
      In a “transcept”, further seating is reflected in a mirrored wallIn the kitchen area, ceramic tiles cover the wall surfaces, while terracotta tiles of a similar size and shape the front of the service counter.
      “The blend of the open kitchen and bar with the dining room translates into a balanced combination of practical and utilitarian materials typical of industrial kitchens and warm materials that provide elegance and comfort,” Betancur said.
      The restaurant is located in Mexico City’s lively Roma Norte neighbourhoodServing one of the world’s most popular foods, pizza restaurants take many forms and styles across the globe, but many feature some reference to its home country.
      In New York, Büro Koray Duman drew on Neopolitan culture for the interiors of Simo, while at Dough Pizza in Perth, Ohlo Studio used materials that evoke the “rustic sophistication” of Italy.
      The photography is by Arturo Arrieta.
      Project credits:
      Architecture: Sofía BetancurDesign team: Cesar Ávila G y Sergio Bau.Engineers: Leonel NavaVisual identity: Faena StudioConstruction: Factor EficienciaWoodwork: Taller Nacional y Solana EstudioLighting: Martín Leal

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      Eight brutalist Mexican interiors that prove concrete doesn’t have to feel cold

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      Raw concrete surfaces are softened by timber and plenty of daylight inside these Mexican houses, rounded up here as part of our latest lookbook.

      Many of these brutalist interiors leave their concrete shells exposed and their cavernous rooms largely unadorned.
      But freed of the constraints posed by frigid temperatures, they also create a greater connection to the outside, whether overlooking Puerto Escondido’s wave-swept beaches or nestled in the bustling metropolis of Mexico City.
      Here, concrete surfaces help to create a sense of seamlessness between indoor and outdoor spaces – often separated only by removable partitions – while unfinished natural materials, such as wood or stone, are brought into the interior.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with exposed services, primary-coloured living spaces and houses with outdoor showers.

      Photo by Rory GardinerCasa Alférez, Cañada De Alferes, by Ludwig Godefroy
      Tucked away in the forest outside Cañada De Alferes near Mexico City, this brutalist holiday home has a board-formed concrete shell.
      This is left on display throughout its entire interior, all the way down to the bedrooms (top image) and the double-height lounge (above).
      To bring a sense of homeliness to its otherwise spartan living spaces, architect Ludwig Godefroy added warm wooden floors and lush pops of green – as seen across upholstery and lighting fixtures.
      Find out more about Casa Alférez ›
      Photo by Onnis Luque and Fabian MartinezLa Casa del Sapo, Playa Zapotengo, by Espacio 18 Arquitectura
      The kitchen of this seafront home – set right on Oaxaca’s Zapotengo beach – can be merged with its neighbouring patio using a wide wooden folding door.
      All-around concrete helps to underline this fusion, while also serving a practical function in the form of a kitchen island and matching shelves.
      Find out more about La Casa del Sapo ›
      Photo by César BéjarThe Hill in Front of the Glen, Morelia, by HW Studio
      Reminiscent of the Hobbit houses in JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, this sunken home is nestled into a hillside in the forests of Michoacán in central Mexico.
      The building’s interiors are defined by its concrete vaulted ceilings, which can be seen in every room, while log benches and full-height glazing provide a visual link to the woodland outside.
      Find out more about The Hill in Front of the Glen ›
      Photo by Rory GardinerCasa Mérida, Mérida, by Ludwig Godefroy
      Mayan architecture and craftsmanship informed the design of this otherwise brutalist house in Yucatán state, which is considered the capital of the indigenous civilisation.
      The home’s perimeter walls, for example, have joints covered in stone splinters that take cues from the design of Mayan pyramids and temples. These are left exposed on the interior alongside the concrete ceilings, creating a rich medley of architectural references.
      Find out more about Casa Mérida ›
      Photo by Rafael GamoPachuca Apartments, Mexico City, by PPAA
      Concrete slabs pave both the patio and living spaces in this Mexico City house to create a sense of continuity, only separated by a full-height glass wall that can be completely pushed open.
      On the interior, the rough concrete finishes are contrasted with details in American white oak, among them a long dining table as well as a staircase with treads that slot into a huge bookshelf.
      Find out more about Pachuca Apartments ›
      Photo by Dane Alonso and Mariano Renteria GarnicaCasa UC, Morelia, by Daniela Bucio Sistos
      Neutral colours and tactile materials are found throughout this home in the city of Morelia, including raw concrete ceilings and floors finished in a honey-toned tropical timber called caobilla.
      In the library, the same wood was also used to form integrated shelves and a huge porthole window that can be pivoted open and closed like a door.
      Find out more about Casa UC ›
      Photo by Sandra PereznietoCasa Aguacates, Valle de Bravo, by Francisco Pardo
      Mexican architect Francisco Pardo repurposed the pinewood formwork used in the process of constructing this concrete house to form a series of partition walls throughout the home.
      The resulting interior layout is simple and fluid and centres on an open-plan kitchen, dining area and living room that open up onto a sunken garden.
      Find out more about Casa Aguacates ›
      Photo by Rory GardinerZicatela, Puerto Escondido, by Emmanuel Picault and Ludwig Godefroy
      Set in the small surf town of Puerto Escondido, this weekend home accommodates its main living areas inside a covered patio and is made almost entirely of concrete.
      The only exceptions are the doors and sliding louvred wood screens that can be used to open the space up to the gardens on either side, as well as a few sparse furnishings such as the low-slung dining table, which is made from a cross-sectioned tree trunk.
      Find out more about Zicatela ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with exposed services, primary-coloured living spaces and houses with outdoor showers.

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      Cruciform cabinet anchors The Loma Residence by Esrawe Studio

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      An oak “skin” wraps the interior of living spaces at this apartment in Mexico City, renovated by locally based Esrawe Studio.

      The two-bedroom Loma Residence in the neighbourhood of Lomas de Chapultepec faces sunset views over the forest, so Esrawe Studio reconfigured the layout to optimise this orientation.
      The Loma Residence was reconfigured so that living spaces could enjoy west-facing vistas and lightWalls and partitions were removed to create a more open living and dining space, where low furniture is arranged so as not to obstruct the vista or prevent the golden-hour light from reaching far into the apartment.
      To deal with a column and create separation from the rest of the apartment in a single gesture, the studio wrapped the structural element in oak and extended low consoles from both sides — forming a cross shape.
      Oak panels wrap a structural column and extend out to form low consoles”Its sculptural expression triggers the operative relationship of the space, defining the leading gesture of the project, and becoming the element that houses books, vinyl records, and a space for a turntable,” said Esrawe Studio, which was founded by Héctor Esrawe.

      Storage cabinets at the same height are continued along a nearby wall, forming part of a much larger expanse of millwork that extends to the ceiling and wraps around the living room.
      A granite island sits in the centre of the minimalist kitchen”The oak wood skin that runs through the space embraces the perimeter of the apartment,” the studio said. “This same skin integrates all doors and entrances to the service areas, creating a visual, warm, and tactile continuity that travels all the way to the master bedroom.”
      The kitchen can also be hidden from the living area by sliding partitions in the same material.

      Chloé Mason Gray utilises “masculine” elements for Mexico City renovation

      When open, these operable panels sit flush within the millwork, which curves in on both sides to also conceal the refrigerator and the access to the pantry, linen closet and wine cellar.
      In the centre of the kitchen sits a green-toned granite island that incorporates four gas burners, and the sink faces a long window that frames the verdant landscape.
      Oak wraps the perimeter of the apartment and continues into the bedroomsSurfaces that aren’t oak are marble, to “provide the space with a sober and contemporary atmosphere” according to the design team.
      The exception is the guest bathroom, which is lined in green quartizite and features a sculptural Tikal marble washbasin designed by EWE Studio — founded by Esrawe with gallerist and curator Age Salajõe, and designer Manuel Bañó to promote Mexico’s craft heritage.
      EWE Studio designed a sculptural Tikal marble washbasin for the guest bathroomEsrawe Studio was named Interiors Studio of the Year at the 2020 Dezeen Awards, and operates from a converted dancehall with an “honest industrial aesthetic” in the Mexican capital.
      The studio’s completed interior projects have ranged from a glossy bar at the city’s Auditorio Nacional to a restaurant informed by Samurai armour and Kanji characters.
      The photography is by Fabián Martinez.
      Project credits:
      Interior design and furniture: Esrawe StudioCreative direction: Héctor EsraweDesign team: Ángel Campos, Javier García-Rivera, Raúl Araiza, Jair Rocha, Viviana Contreras.Visualizations: Madián Alvarado

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      Direccion brings sense of tranquility to Casa Tres Árboles in Valle de Bravo

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      The designers at Mexican studio Direccion had “monastic sanctuary” in mind when revamping this weekend retreat in Valle de Bravo.

      The two-storey Casa Tres Árboles is designed to celebrate light and shadow contrasts, natural materials and calming colour tones.
      The double-height entrance hall features a floor of wood and black microcement”The goal of this project was to create a space in natural and warm tones, to convey a sense of refuge and retreat, of monastic sanctuary,” said designer Mariana Morales, founder of Direccion.
      Casa Tres Árboles was first built 25 years ago in the popular lakeside location, which is located two hours drive west of Mexico City, but the original design had become outdated.
      Pre-existing walls were removed to create a more open-plan living space”The client’s directive was to give the house a refreshed style, with updated finishes to accommodate more frequent visits, while maintaining the weekend getaway feel of the place,” said Morales.

      The renovation centred around opening up the interior, creating a more natural flow of light and movement through the different living spaces.
      Located below street level, the house’s entrance is a pivoting doorThis was achieved by not only removing walls, but also by adjusting the split-level floor so that the social spaces feel more connected.
      Key to the design was the entrance sequence. From the street, a staircase descends, leading around a tree and into a small sunken courtyard.
      A new wall screens the staircase, with an arched doorway leading through to a bedroomDireccion’s design enhances the sense of drama to this arrival. A former bathroom was removed to make space for a planter filled with leafy shrubs and ferns.
      From here, a pivoting door leads through to a double-height entrance hall topped by a glass dome and features a high-contrast floor-combing wood and black microcement.

      Matte-black house Las Golondrinas is a sanctuary for retirement in Valle de Bravo

      The space is framed by a new wall that hides away the previously open stairwell. An arched doorway leads through to a bedroom, while an aged wooden table presents a display of sculptural vases.
      “This decidedly sculptured hall is the prime space to pause and become surrounded by the material serenity of the house,” said Morales.
      A wooden seating bench runs alongside a 10-person dining tableThe kitchen, dining room and lounge space are all located beyond the hall, one step down, and now connect with a sundeck thanks to sliding glass doors.
      This open-plan layout was made possible by the addition of two structural columns, which take the place of load-bearing walls that previously divided the space.
      Dark walls help to create atmosphere in the bedroomsCasa Tres Árboles contains three en-suite bedrooms on the upper level, along with a small snug.
      Both these rooms and those on the ground floor are painted in dark shades that offer a natural counterpoint to the warm tones of the exposed wooden ceiling beams.
      A soft-red sofa located in the main living space is one of few splashes of colour.
      All four bedrooms have en-suite bathroomsArtworks are dotted throughout, including a painting by Mexican artist Beatriz Zamora, while dark crockery by artisanal craft makers Colectivo 1050 is displayed openly in the kitchen.
      “The colour palette integrates the flow of the elements and, with every piece and material carefully curated, creates a space for repose, meditation and balance,” added Morales.
      A snug is located on the upper levelValle de Bravo is home to some of Mexico’s best examples of housing design.
      Other memorable examples include the Y-shaped Casa de la Roca by Cadaval & Solà-Morales and the secluded Santana House by CC Arquitectos.
      The photography is by Fabian Martinez.

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      Chloé Mason Gray utilises “masculine” elements for Mexico City renovation

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      Mexico City interiors studio Chloé Mason Gray has renovated a house in Colonia Condesa, embracing its lack of natural light to create a space for a bachelor.

      Built in the mid-20th century with a pared-back art deco style, the two-storey house is currently rented long-term by an American tech worker, who hired studio founder Gray to improve the interiors with the owners’ permission.
      The home’s lack of natural light led to the embrace of dark colours and materials, such as brown plaster in the bedroomCombining antique Mexican design pieces with those by contemporary Mexican artists and designers, the aim was to create a home that felt rooted in its place.
      “It is a place where playfulness and restraint in design happily coexist, and a source of relaxation and inner peace for the inhabitant,” said Gray.
      Dark green was chosen for the upper-floor libraryThe 154-square-metre property is shaded by large trees on the avenue outside, preventing much natural light from entering some of the rooms.

      Embracing the dark and moody atmosphere, the designer chose colours and textures that would make the spaces feel “masculine, rich, and interesting”.
      Furniture made from red cedar complements the earthy palette”I wanted to create a space that was functional, comfortable, masculine and dynamic,” Gray said. “It had to feel both a bit unexpected, and approachable. I strove to reflect quiet luxury and a sense of richness through the colors and materials.”
      Dark green walls and ceiling envelop the upper-floor library, where the fabric of a Bastiano two-seater sofa by Tobia Scarpa and plants add variations on the hue.
      Gray custom-built a dining table using a quartzite slabMeanwhile, the primary bedroom was covered in brown textured plasterwork, complemented by a leather headboard, and green linen bedding and curtains.
      In other spaces, a variety of off-white plaster finishes sit in contrast to dark furniture – much of which is made from warm-toned red cedar.
      A mix of Mexican vintage and contemporary furniture roots the space in its context”I think red cedar pairs beautifully with the green tones in the house,” said Gray. “In Mexican spaces, you tend to see a lot of either very pale wood, tzalam or walnut, and I liked the idea of using a medium red-toned wood instead.”
      One of the most dramatic interventions involved coating the original sculptural staircase in indigo-pigmented concrete.

      Ambrosi Etchegaray inserts four homes and three courtyards behind an old Mexico City facade

      A custom dining table was built from a quartzite slab, which is flecked and veined with colours found across the home.
      Upstairs, an office is outfitted with a restored vintage desk by Clara Porset for DM Nacional, and a Brno chair by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich.
      The original staircase was coated in an indigo-pigmented concreteEuropean oak floors were laid throughout the interior, while furniture by Roberto Michelsen was placed on the roof deck.
      A variety of artwork and smaller accessories bring the design together, but adding these touches turned out to be the designer’s biggest challenge.
      A vintage desk and a Brno chair furnish the office”It’s a very oddly-shaped house,” said Gray. “I don’t think there is a single straight wall in the whole house.”
      “Every wall and room is at an angle, so at times positioning furniture and art in a way that felt natural and correct was challenging,” she added.
      The home also has a roof terrace, populated with furniture by Roberto MichelsenMexico City’s historic Colonia Condesa is a popular place to live for locals and long-term visitors alike, thanks in part to its rich architecture.
      Examples of projects completed in the central neighbourhood include four new homes built behind a historic facade and an apartment block covered in small wooden squares.
      The photography is by Fabian Martinez.
      Project credits:
      Interior design: Chloé Mason GrayInterior finishings application: Marco Villa Mateos

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