City Guide: Mexico City Off the Beaten Path
the esd journal
Inspiration is found everywhere. When we travel, it’s a special treat to delve into the arts, culture, and design foundations of a place. But what we see on the surface can be misleading. It’s what we find off the beaten path that often tells the true story of a place. Unique finds in any city bring travelers closer to the heart of the place, its people, and the art and architecture that play a vital role in their identity. For Mexico City, the art galleries, showrooms, and design studios you find off the beaten path remind a tourist like me that I could spend a lifetime in this beautiful city and still have more to learn. And that’s an exciting prospect!
Mexico City Off the Beaten Path
When you visit Mexico City there is plenty to do, but my designer’s instinct encourages you to find these unique places and immerse yourself in everything they have to offer.
Photo by Alejandro Ramírez Orozco, www.lavivahome.com
L’Aviva Mexico City
“Mexico City has long been…a source of inspiration and energy, and a place that connects us more closely to our workshops and teams…” L’Aviva
Showcasing a variety of their home lighting and decor collections in carefully arranged environments, the L’Aviva Mexico City showroom invites you in. Not only has this space allowed the L’Aviva team to deepen their Mexican and South American roots design-wise, but is a space that will grow and evolve as they do.
Galería Mascota
The home of many avant-garde, impressionist, and abstract art exhibits, the Galería Mascota is always a surprise. Inside its walls you’ll find sculptures, mixed media pieces, larger than life installations, and narrative pieces. Typically, there is a little something for everyone.
Photo: Yves Scherer
Photo: Yves Scherer
Bomboti
This treasure-trove of objects, curiosities, art, handcrafted goods, and more contains a deli making it a fantastic stop for refreshment and local masterpieces. Focusing on going against the plain, white, washed narrative, Bomboti’s carefully curated collection features items made with traditional methods by hands not afraid of hard work and getting dirty. This grittier edge to design gives each piece, no matter how small or large, a soul that connects you to the ancestral traditions of this city and culture. It is felt as you walk the narrow aisles and browse the shelves and displays.
Photo: Elaine Santos
AGO Projects
The AGO Projects studio is a design project which supports artists and designers. In their own words, they are “committed to incubating and promoting exceptional design voices.” To do this, they showcase, sell, and help produce imaginative pieces crafted from a variety of traditions, disciplines, and materials. Working with a huge variety of designers, AGO Projects has built an impressive collection from emerging innovators and craftsmen.
Photo: Elaine Santos
Photo: Elaine Santos
Estudio Luis BARRAGÁN
Recognized and declared by UNESCO “a masterpiece within the development of the modern movement”, Estudio Luis Barragán is an architectural masterpiece. Built in 1948, the home of iconic designer Luis Barragán epitomizes his influence on the design world. It makes a statement in both its contemporary design as well as its location and is a must-see hidden gem in the Daniel Garza neighborhood.
Photo: Elaine Santos
It would, truly, take a lifetime to find all the charming and interesting places hidden within Mexico City. But I hope this short list has inspired you to travel and explore unknown places.