Di Frenna Arquitectos has designed its own architecture studio in Colima, Mexico. Conceived as both a workplace and a creative environment, the building brings together workspaces, meeting areas, audiovisual facilities, and interior courtyards within a series of clearly defined volumes. Exposed materials, varied textures, and the integration of natural light and vegetation reflect the studio’s particular architectural approach.
Through experimentation with materials and techniques, Di Frenna Arquitectos selects those that are available locally and can be developed using regional craftsmanship.
A working studio environment
The headquarters is designed to accommodate the daily activities of the practice while supporting experimentation, research, and collaboration. Open workspaces, meeting rooms, audiovisual areas, and a model-making workshop are organised to encourage interaction across the team and to support different stages of the design process, from conceptual development to project presentation.
The building operates as a working environment where ideas are tested and developed. It serves as a built representation of the studio’s design principles and methods.
Materials and architectural language
The composition is defined by a series of clear volumes and an emphasis on exposed materials. Construction elements remain visible, expressing their structural and tactile qualities.
Steel, concrete, charred wood, and stone are used throughout, combined through varied textures and finishes. This material palette prioritises durability while foregrounding construction techniques and craftsmanship.
The approach reflects the studio’s interest in clarity of form, material authenticity, and the integration of artisanal knowledge within contemporary architectural practice.
Courtyards and spatial continuity
A series of interior courtyards punctuate the building and organise its spatial layout. These spaces introduce natural light and vegetation into the interior while establishing visual and physical connections between different areas.
The courtyards also play a role in the building’s environmental performance. Natural ventilation, shaded outdoor spaces, and controlled openings reduce reliance on mechanical systems, while the use of thermal mass contributes to a stable indoor environment adapted to the local climate.
The relationship between interior and exterior creates a gradual transition between built and natural elements. Variations in level, light, and shadow contribute to a changing spatial experience and relieve the uniformity of enclosed workspaces.
The courtyards provide areas for pause and informal interaction, supporting a working environment that accommodates both focused and collective activity.
Local materials, craft, and construction approach
The building was developed in collaboration with local builders and artisans, whose work is evident in construction details, surface treatments, and material finishes. This process brings together contemporary design methods and traditional construction knowledge. Technical precision and manual skill are combined within a consistent architectural language.
The project avoids reliance on standardised or branded systems, instead reflecting a material approach shaped by context and local availability. Materials and construction methods are developed in collaboration with local builders, fabricators, and artisans. Steel elements are custom-fabricated, concrete is cast in place, and timber is charred on site using adapted traditional techniques. Stone used in the landscape is sourced from a nearby quarry. This approach allows each project to respond to its specific conditions through local materials, construction knowledge, and techniques.
