Conceived for Design House 2022 (DH2022), this exhibition reinterpreted the traditional zaguán as a transitional space between the exterior and interior of the home. Drawing on the principles of Mexican modernist architecture, the project created an environment for contemplation and everyday living, emphasizing the continuity between architecture, design, and landscape. The installation brought together works by Po Shun Leong, Antonio Attolini Lack, Ricardo Legorreta, Germán Venegas, and Isamu Noguchi, establishing a dialogue between art, design, and architecture.
This exhibition was curated by CO,MA and organized in collaboration with Clásicos Mexicanos
Taking into consideration the characteristics and location of our space within the DH2022 house, we revisited the original meaning of the zaguán: a transitional space that marks the passage between the exterior and interior of the home, and in some cases between its social and private areas. Originally known as istawan, these spaces are generally open and serve an additional climatic function, allowing natural light to enter while creating air currents that circulate throughout different areas of the house. Although usually modest in scale, they have the capacity to evoke the architecture of the home as a whole, while providing a visual and mental pause for its inhabitants.
For our proposal at DH2022, we connected the physical space of the zaguán with the architectural ideals of the 1950s, which emphasized a close relationship between interior and exterior spaces. This approach relied on elements that facilitate the entry of natural light, such as skylights, glass doors, lattice screens, and interior gardens, which function as continuations of the outdoors within the home.
Our aim was to create an extension of the exterior into the interior of the house through a room dedicated to recreation, leisure, and contemplation. The inclusion of collectible design pieces expands the possibilities of the space, enriching both the daily experience of the home and the significance of the moment of arrival and entry.