“TEXTURA”: DESCON IN MEXICO CITY

The hardest ticket to acquire in Texas architecture this past year was for the TxA Design Conference in Mexico City, which sold out within minutes. The conference theme, “Textura,” was aptly chosen, as textures of every kind greeted participants along the way. 

Day One
Architecture of Care

The conference began with a lecture by Alba Cortés and Mariano Castilla of Tatiana Bilbao Estudio followed by a tour of their workspace. Their presentation highlighted a central theme of the conference: the integration of rich cultural references in each project. Also discussed was the idea of commitment to care—for inhabitants, the local culture, and the environment—embedded within their work.

A midday visit to Hotel Volga introduced another recurring theme among the featured projects: the “hidden gem”—projects with subtle, often unremarkable street presences whose interiors defy expectations.

The day concluded with an afternoon lecture by Natalia Badía and Carlos Bedoya of PRODUCTORA Studio, presented in a space they designed and now occupy. On the wall was a quote by artist Marina Abramović: “Objects can transcend utility to become conveyors of energy and creators of emotional links, reflecting our ability to transform materials with purpose and sensitivity.” This resonated deeply, as it seemed to encapsulate the essence of the entire first day, in which attendees experienced palpable energy emanating from the wealth of objects encountered.

Day Two
“What Nobody Asks For”

This was the title of the lecture by Emmanuel Ramirez and Ignacio del Rio of Estudio MMX. They discussed how the extension of programmatic elements or addition of unforeseen qualities often creates results that are more impactful than the initial project intentions. This theme also reflected the nature of the conference itself, wherein each moment surpassed expectations.

After the lecture, the group toured the Biblioteca Vasconcelos, designed by Alberto Kalach Studio and nicknamed “Megabiblioteca.” The library’s grandeur is difficult to convey without numbers: the 400,000-sf building spans six levels and houses over 130,000 linear feet of metal shelving, most of it suspended or cantilevered to create floating banks of books that hover above the lobby below.

The later tours shifted to more intimate settings, starting with Casa Siza—a portrait of minimal grace and exquisite detailing by Álvaro Siza—and Casa Wabi Sabino, also by Alberto Kalach (in collaboration with Studio Bosco Sodi), whose ceramic artworks blended seamlessly with the architecture. 

The day ended at the Fábrica de Hielo, a former ice-making warehouse adaptively reused as the JSa Studio, a project embodying the firm’s sustainability principles. A lecture by JSa partners Javier Sánchez, Aisha Ballesteros, and Benedikt Fahlbusch capped a tiring but enriching day.

Day Three
 ¡Viva Mexico!

The final day of the conference began with an overview of Mexico City and its architectural impact presented by Wellesley professor and historian of architecture Kathryn O’Rourke. This was followed by a tour of the Museo Anahuacalli, inspired by Mesoamerican pre-Columbian architecture. Conceived by Diego Rivera, designed by Juan O’Gorman, and enhanced with an addition by Mauricio Rocha, the space was a jaw-dropping study of light, shadows, and materials. 

Fittingly, one of the final projects toured was another hidden gem, the EJT Studio by Estudio MMX. You can’t visit this tiny backyard studio/dwelling without a prior invitation or even see it from the street. Despite its diminutive size, the project was exceptional and encapsulated the charm of the conference—offering attendees access to extraordinary design that is often only available during such tours. The organizers should be commended for curating such a compelling lineup of speakers and projects