Colima 162 is a luxury concept store in Roma Norte, Mexico City, designed by Spanish architect Laura V Lasagabaster and designer Manuel Bañó. Set within a Porfirian-era “mirrored house” built in 1919, the project takes the existing architecture as its starting point, proposing a minimal and respectful intervention that enhances the building’s original character.

The interior unfolds from the access staircase into a purist spatial sequence defined by aseries of custom, hand-hammered recycled copper pieces. Crafted by artisans from SantaClara del Cobre, these elements function as both furniture and display supports, introducing subtle variations of light and texture. Lime-plastered walls and a continuous bamboo silk and wool rug further emphasize the material coherence while adapting to the irregularities of the historic structure.

The result is a restrained and contextual proposal where a neutral palette allows copper to emerge as the central protagonist. The project balances contemporary design with respect for heritage and local craftsmanship, redefining the retail experience through a sculptural and minimalistic approach.

All copper pieces were produced in Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán, a region renowned for its metalworking tradition. Each element is crafted from recycled copper and shaped entirely by hand through a process of fire and forging, without industrial mediation. Heated to high temperatures and worked through successive hammering, the material is gradually transformed, gaining strength, texture, and form. This artisanal process allows each piece to retain subtle irregularities, revealing the trace of the gesture and emphasizing the expressive qualities of copper.