Colombian designers transform Bogotá townhouse for furniture exhibition
Gallery NC Diseño has renovated a townhouse in Bogotá, commissioning 10 Colombian designers to redesign its bedrooms, kitchen and other spaces in different styles for an inaugural exhibition.
NC Diseño features five floors, two of which contain previously uninhabited apartments renovated over three months for the opening Design House Colombia exhibit. It is located down the street from sister institution NC Arte studio in Bogotá.
For the exhibition, curator Mónica Barreneche commissioned 10 local designers and studios to select a room within the apartments to furnish with collectible design pieces, prompting each studio to design a space informed by personal experience.
"For the first edition of Design House Colombia, the ten participating design studios were invited to delve into the typological significance that represents the space in which each one intervened," said Barreneche.
The brief was for the designers to connect personal experiences with the different spaces in the home.
"As a result, each of them left an emotional imprint of what it means to connect with space," said Barreneche.
NC Diseño director Estefania Neme also added locally created art pieces to each space.
Architect Martín Mendoza outfitted an office in chocolate-coloured wooden cladding by Woodbox Colombia and steel bookshelves by Guarida, illuminating the space with lighting by Alta Estudio and La Nuit as an homage to his father's studio.
"When I observe a studio, my mind immediately goes to the memory of my father's studio. That space, for me, embodies the authentic meaning of intimacy and privacy. It's a completely personal refuge," said the designer.
Mendoza filled the space with furniture of leather, steel and wood. A metallic-legged daybed topped with a woven leather cushion by his studio MM & Co was centred, while a steel desk by designer Daniela Duarte sat in a corner.
Artwork by Julian Burgoss and charred-wood figures in the shape of books as well as stools by designer Camilo Andres Rodriguez Márquez complete the space.
Architect Julián Molina of Refugio Arquitectura outfitted a kitchen for the project, which will be the one permanent space in NC Diseño.
The designer centred a large wood-and-steel island and placed an illuminated yellow shelving unit by design studio Octubre just above it.
The floor was clad in a custom black-and-white tile pattern by artist Ramon Laserna, which creates an optical illusion.
Medellín-based designer David Del Valle created a minimal living room informed by his warm, plant-filled city, taking advantage of the views from the three arched windows in the room.
Two scooped metal armchairs, placed at the centre of the room face the terrace and an amoeba-shaped bronze table was placed in between them.
The El Secreto table was designed exclusively for the exhibit to pay homage to a Colombian national park.
"This table represents Colombia's best-kept anthropological and territorial treasure; Chibiriquete National Natural Park. From its natural form to all the meaning it holds, this table narrates the mystique of this natural gem," said Del Valle.
Upstairs, a room curated by Neme brought together a number of designers for a nursery.
A rug created by Cosí and NC Diseño and informed by tatami mats consists of off-white patches sewn together with a colourful crocheted web.
A crib by artists Colectivo Mangle was made of wooden slats that fan out from connection points on either end with geometric, yellow chairs by Jimena Londoño y José David del Portillo placed beside it.
A giant teddy bear wrapped and emerging from Ikea's popular Stockholm rug by artist Ivan Castiblanco was placed on the wall.
"When children are surrounded by a friendly, creative, imaginative and happy environment, their behaviour is undoubtedly different, and they learn to take care of their environment and value themselves," said Neme.
Jotaele Arquitectura created an "infinite" dining room, which included original wood panelling and chairs by Jaime Gutiérrez Lega upholstered in wool, and Cruz de la Pava played on the idea of a "man cave" where lights dim when visitors sit in a central armchair.
Finally, Moblar created a therapist's office, including a daybed and steel bookcases with curved profiles by the studio.
Other spaces throughout the exhibition include a bedroom cast in an all-grey hue, including the floors, by Camila Buitrago Estudio and Granada Gárces Aquitectos; a room filled with interchangeable totems and concentric chandeliers by Basalto Studio; and terraces by designers Pedro Bermudez, Terreno Paisajismo and Menguante.
Similarly, designers in Mexico City outfitted a whole house with custom interiors and furniture for Design Week Mexico.
Elsewhere in Bogotá, Lorenzo Botero and Martín Mendoza created a brick-lined restaurant and Alsar Atelier and Oscar Zamora created a translucent fog catcher.
The photography is by Monica Barreneche
Design House Colombia is on show from November to 14 March in Bogotá. For more events, exhibitions and talks in architecture and design visit the Dezeen Events Guide.
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