The Reyes House was designed by sculptor Pedro Reyes and his fashion designer wife, Carla Fernandez, in 2016, in Mexico City. Reyes was trained as an architect before a career in contemporary art but designed The Reyes House by himself with his wife. The house serves as a place where the couple and their two young children live, work and create. The primary material of the structure that draws attention is the concrete, used both in interior and exterior. It may give a rough look to the design, but it fits perfectly to the contemporary approach of the couple, especially when it is accompanied by the unique artworks of Reyes. The living room is an excellent example of this juxtaposition. The most salient feature of the living area is the vast concrete bookcase that takes over the whole place. The double-height library appeals directly to Reyes’s admiration for books and passion for reading. The mismatched furniture selection on the mezzanine conflates different styles together, yet their coherence makes the design unique. This oppositional approach is the most evident in chairs and sofas. Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair by Charles and Ray Eames brings comfortable modernity to the upper living room but using Clara Porset Loveseat Sofa with custom upholstery offers a more local touch. These sofas are usually preferred to create a modern feel; however, it provides an entirely different atmosphere when finished with Mexican fabrics. The whole concept is an exquisite mix of the couple’s tastes. While modern pieces appeal to Reyes’s contemporary approach, local finishes such as the Clara Porset sofa are directly linked to Fernandez’s design methods as she prefers a similar aesthetic for her fashion design. Albeit there are some items from various well-known brands for furnishing, pieces made by the couple dominate the interiors, such as wood and steel chairs, or copper tubes and electrical wire lighting in the living room. Another feature that adds significant value to the design is the sculptures made by Reyes. Some sprinkles of world classics can be seen occasionally, but Reyes’s modern artworks command the whole design, similar to the furnishing. Different plants such as the colossal Areca grows on the atrium add color to the gray hues of the concrete and create a spacious yet cozy atmosphere.
