A historic mezcal tasting facility in Mexico City has found new purpose as a private home, with a renovation by Barde vanVoltt and contributions by various local producers.

Key features

Pursuing interiors ‘deeply rooted in Mexican culture’, Dutch studio Barde vanVoltt worked with regional designers, suppliers, brands and artisans to outfit the newly minted residence. In fact, 90 per cent of the furniture, art and accessories in Casa Mezcal’s earth-tone interiors come from these collaborations. The 400-sq-m home’s careful decoration and highly tactile material palette – from blonde wood and cinnamon-coloured brick to plush green upholstery and metal details – give the space a distinctly relaxing feel. This effect is strengthened by cascading stairwells, various archways and windows, and tree-filled skylights. Establishing connection with the outdoors was a priority in the brief: lush green plantings extend from the ground floor to the balconies of the second-floor bedrooms. The exterior space, which includes a dining area, bar and individual seating, revolves around a central Guayabo Japonés tree.

FRAME’s take

Defying the possible constraints that could emerge from its former use, Casa Mezcal emanates a naturalness that indicates Barde vanVoltt’s meticulous attention to time and place. Each of the objects in the space, whether a furnishing or art piece, feel true to the site, with a certain material timelessness. It would have been difficult to achieve this without having had turned to local producers. Openness and privacy coexist organically in the repurposed floorplan – various places for communal lounging nooks for solo retreat enable the residents to get the most out of their living space.