THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN: MEXICO THROUGH MY EYES, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE 

Collaboration, Experimentation, and Design Languages: Design: A Continuous Dialogue Between Past, Present, and Future

Mexico's diverse landscape reflects a tapestry woven from its historical influences, spanning colonialism, imperialism, and socialism. While lacking iconic architects like Lloyd Wright or Gaudi Perret in the early 20th century, Mexico witnessed a remarkable surge in architectural evolution driven by its own people's innate creativity. This rapid transformation, independent of external influences, imbued Mexican architecture with an experimental and inclusive spirit.

Today, Mexico's architectural panorama grapples with challenges, as large parts of the city remain marked by insecurity, division, and isolation. The dichotomy between private and social housing mirrors societal divides. However, contemporary architectural practices and visual art forms have embraced a modern ethos, seamlessly blending climate considerations with local customs and advocating for marginalized communities. Spaces are designed with a focus on human interaction and refuge.

With a population exceeding 129 million, Mexico's architectural expressions are rooted in a rich cultural amalgamation, blending ancient traditions with modern influences, daily rituals with political dynamics, and intersections of faith and tradition.

Architectural and design practices in Mexico navigate this complex cultural landscape, drawing inspiration from the past while addressing contemporary needs. They approach present-day projects with a keen eye for innovation, seeking to create spaces that resonate globally while honoring Mexico's unique heritage.

In the rocky landscape of the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, west of Monterrey Casa Monterrey was designed by Tadao Ando and shot by Edmund in 2014. 

It was Tadao Ando who guided Edmund towards his first visit to Mexico, to the rocky landscape of the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park. It was to be Ando’s first residential project in Latin America and for Edmund, the initiation of 10 years worth of journeys to Mexico, and counting. 

For Edmund, his travels are not only for its architecture but also to witness the ever-changing urban sprawl of Mexico City and the open revolt of the country’s creative personalities, which bring positive glimmers for the future of Mexican architecture and design, where tradition and modernity coexist.

Mexican architecture defies simple description. While much of the city is adorned with grand colonial structures and more modest styles in other areas, a select group of architects and designers are actively shaping the future landscape of the country. In their hands, concrete and mortar are not merely building materials but tools to foster a sense of community.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MEXICO IN 2024, WHAT - AND WHO - DO WE TALK ABOUT?

The answer to that question is spread across web of influences and talent, weaving together the worlds of fashion, visual art, architecture, and design. The precis, however, is that modern Mexico is thrilling and thriving.

Carla Fernández and Pedro Reyes at home, in the library.

Designer Carla Fernandez - whose work is committed to the manifesto ‘fashion is not ephemeral’ - comes to mind. The brand's vision demonstrates that ethical fashion can be innovative and avant-garde. As an agent of change, Carla Fernández redefines luxury fashion by collaborating with Mexican artisans who specialise in handmade textiles and ancient indigenous techniques. This approach sustains these traditional methods and supports the artisans. 

Interior view of Casa Wabi, an artist retreat created by Bosco Sodi, executed by Tadao Ando, and captured by Edmund.

Turn your attention to the art scene, and you’ll find that Mexican artists are doing some extraordinary work right now. Take the Mexican-born artist Bosco Sodi, whose minimalist artworks are borne from a vested interest in the likes of Tapies, Rothko and de Kooning. His work is marked by the impregnation of nature on his canvases, creating fossil-like forms with pigment. On canvas or in sculptural form, Sodi’s work shares a great deal of entropy in its process. The results? Unique and irreplaceable. For his forays into architecture, look no further than his creation of Casa Wabi, created in 2014, designed by Tadao Ando and later documented by Edmund. It’s a home for a non-profit foundation where residents and the local community come together - an expression of Mexico’s cross-disciplinary nature. 

Exterior view of Casa Wabi at nightfall, an artist retreat created by Bosco Sodi, executed by Tadao Ando, and captured by Edmund.

ACROSS SCALES, MEXICAN ARCHITECTURE IS BUILDING TO THE FUTURE

Academia Atlas FC, a sports center in Zapopan, Jalisco, designed by Sordo Madaleno and serving as the training ground for the nation's young players, captured by Edmund during a recent trip to Mexico.

THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN, BUT IT'S THE ARTISTS, ARCHITECTS, AND ARTISANS WHO ARE POISED TO SHAPE ITS NARRATIVE

From the sleek, precise lines of Ando's Monterrey hacienda to the communal spaces envisioned by Fernanda Canales, Edmund has spent the past decade traversing oceans with a recurring thought: the Japanese concept of "Wabi-Sabi." This philosophy, celebrating the beauty of imperfection and transience, resonates deeply with Mexico's architectural tapestry. Economically, Mexico stands on solid ground for the future, yet significant challenges loom. Addressing these demands investment in public infrastructure, capital, technology, and policy reform. As a new administration prepares to take office, there's hope for transformative proposals that propel Mexico towards its long-awaited "Mexican moment.” The future is unwritten, but it is the artists, architects, and artisans of the country who are poised to shape its narrative, infusing it with creativity, innovation, and a deep reverence for Mexico's rich cultural heritage.