This Mexican rooftop bar is a “matriarchal universe”

Crocodile-shaped furniture and shrine-like water features characterise Tonana, a rooftop bar in San Miguel de Allende designed by Mexican firm AG Studio to pay homage to ancient goddesses.

Tonana is located on the rooftop of Casa Hoyos, a boutique hotel also interior designed by AG Studio, which belongs to the Hoyos family.

When creating the bar, studio founder Andrés Gutiérrez was influenced by the family’s “matriarchal history” that was first celebrated in the hotel design. This included a tile-clad mural of the Virgin of Loreto, the patron saint of San Miguel de Allende, in a hallway.

“From the very beginning of the conceptual stage for the bar, it was clear that we wanted to continue exploring matriarchal energy,” said Gutiérrez. “This time, however, I proposed approaching it through a pre-Hispanic worldview.”

Gutiérrez focussed on mythological female figures, including Tonantzin, an Aztec mother goddess, when designing the colour-drenched rooftop bar, which he described as a “matriarchal universe”.

The flooring was crafted from tezontle – red volcanic stone that has been used in Mexican architecture for centuries.

Sculptural chunks of the stone delineate various seating areas featuring eclectic furniture pieces custom-made for the project, from chubby pink chairs to hand-carved crocodile benches by artisans from Oaxaca.

Decorated with spherical feet, the pink chairs are prototypes from Gutiérrez’s Licha outdoor furniture collection, designed in collaboration with Monterrey-based studio Los Patrones and debuting tomorrow as part of Mexico City art week.

A duo of water features was fitted on either side of a small staircase to represent Chalchiuhtlicue, an Aztec goddess of water and rivers.

“Over the past few years, I have devoted myself to exploring it through Mexican cosmogony, where I have found an immense source of inspiration,” said Gutiérrez.

The bar was placed at one end of the rooftop, crafted from tezontle and topped with a slab of veiny crimson marble.

Boxy stainless-steel stools were positioned in front of it, which echo the geometric shelving behind the bar that houses artefacts, including a decorative sculpture of Tonantzin.

“Stone evokes memories of the earth and its origins, while the shine of metal suggests the lunar realm, a mystical, intangible, protective feminine force,” explained Gutiérrez.

“Representations of Tonantzin placed throughout the space serve as symbols of the balance between the sacred and the fearsome,” he added.

“This project became something very special for everyone involved,” continued the designer.

“I feel that we not only paid homage to Tonantzin, but also expressed our gratitude toward the women who gave us life.”

Ahead of Mexico City art week, which kicked off in the Mexican capital this week, Dezeen rounded up 15 of the festival’s must-see architecture and design events.

Among the projects on display is lighting by Davidpompa studio made from discarded seafood shells salvaged from Mexico City restaurant Contramar.

The photography is by Leandro Bulzzano.