workshop architects melds traditional + modern design

In a historic neighborhood in the Mexican city of Mérida, Workshop Architects’ ‘Studiolo’ is a traditional yet eclectic home-studio which fuses juxtaposing elements of Yucatecan colonial architecture and 20^th-century Italian modernism. A celebration of vibrancy, risk-taking, and iconic design elements, the space serves as a residence and studio for Mexican artists David Serrano and Robert Willson, and perfectly encapsulates both their personal and professional personalities. The loft-style interior is characterized by a simplistic spatiality, enlivened by iconic furnishings and decor including an LC1 Le Corbusier armchair, and vibrant statement elements such as a bright orange bathroom ‘cubicle’ which doubles as a canvas.

all images courtesy of Workshop Architects

an eclectic home-studio in historic Mérida

The space is modeled after the traditional Italian ‘studiolo’ which during the Renaissance era served as a lavishly decorated palace chamber where owners could retire to read, study and write in privacy. Similarly, Workshop Architects’ ‘Studiolo’ provides its residing artist duo with a place to not only live, relax and socialize, but also to work on their pieces and meet with collectors, gallery owners, and colleagues. Beyond the minimalist, pristine white façade inspired by Italian architect Gio Ponti, the loft-style interior conjures a vibrant and idiosyncratic fusion of historical Yucatecan colonial elements with modernist aesthetics which reflect the duo’s practise with 20^th-century pieces in their LA Gallery ‘Downtown’.

In a vibrant and eclectic display, the architects utilize traditional materials in contemporary ways. Along the floor, Yucatecan pasta tile rugs are reinterpreted and randomly ‘thrown’ as if they were fabric rugs, rather than precisely fitted into the space. Different shades of chukum coat the interior walls, their velvety textures and natural tones exuding a sense of dynamism and depth through the space. The windows are made with black ironwork and transparent glass alluding to functionalist architecture and connecting the interior spaces to the gardens, generating cross ventilation.

the loft-style interior is characterized by a simplistic spatiality

infusing iconic modernist design elements from the 20th-century

Workshop Architects enlivens the simplistic spatiality with bold sparks of color and iconic design elements. On the open plan ground floor living area, furnishings include a Jean Prouvé style table in the work area, an LC1 chair by Le Corbusier and a Verner Panton lamp in the living room, vintage pieces from the 1940s by Woodard in the dining room, and SMEG appliances and a lamp by Wilhelm Wagenfeld in the kitchen. Floating in space, an orange glass cube emerges as an unexpected element, doubling as a half bathroom and a canvas for drawing and experimenting.

In the monochromatic rear garden, a statement pink Roly Poly chair by Faye Toogood sits beside a black pool that recalls the architecture of Mies van der Rohe. A subtle yet sculptural staircase elegantly winds to unite the communal ground floor space with the private bedroom upstairs. The bed floats in the center of the space beside a Gio Ponti lamp, angled to overlook the patio and terrace. The space also includes a wet room, walk in closet and laundry room.

Yucatecan pasta tile rugs are reinterpreted and randomly ‘thrown’ as if they were fabric rugs