In Mexico City's vibrant Roma Norte district, a 1919 residential edifice has been reimagined as Colima 162, an upscale concept store. This transformation is the brainchild of local architect Laura Vela Lasagabaster and designer Manu Baño, who collaboratively infused the space with a distinctive character by prominently featuring copper as an accent material. Their design approach harmonizes the building's historical essence with contemporary minimalist aesthetics, creating an immersive retail environment that is both elegant and inviting. The extensive use of bespoke, hand-hammered recycled copper elements, meticulously crafted by artisans from Santa Clara del Cobre, underscores a commitment to both local craftsmanship and sustainable practices. The result is a space where the warm, russet tones of copper provide a striking contrast against a subdued material palette, guiding visitors through a curated journey of discovery.

The 210-square-meter boutique, named after its address on Colima Street, occupies a residence built during Mexico's Porfirian era. Lasagabaster and Baño embarked on this project by respecting the foundational elements of the historical property. They envisioned a 'purist interior design grounded in minimal intervention,' aiming to preserve the original features, such as the grand full-height windows, while introducing a modern layer. The journey for visitors begins with an access staircase leading to the first floor, setting the stage for a clear and direct design concept. This thoughtful integration of old and new forms the core of the store's unique appeal, where every design choice enhances the retail experience without overshadowing the building's inherent charm.

The interior layout is conceived as a sequence of rooms, interconnected by open doorways, encouraging customers to flow through the space. Each room is distinguished by a custom-designed copper piece, acting as both a functional display and a sculptural art object. For instance, upon entry, shoppers encounter a sizable circular basin with a mirrored surface, positioned before four vertical panels featuring protruding rods designed for garment display. In an adjacent area, slender vertical copper poles support a horizontal bar for hanging apparel, anchored by a flat plate for footwear. Further into the store, a striking concave mirror-polished stand is centrally placed before a large window, while elsewhere, a series of floating shelves adorns a wall, showcasing the versatility and beauty of copper.

The designers articulated their vision, stating that these elements, conceived as 'sculptural objects,' seamlessly serve as both furniture and structural supports. The diverse finishes of the copper—hammered, brushed, and mirror-polished—introduce a dynamic interplay of light and texture throughout the boutique. This rich material contrasts beautifully with the understated beige lime-plaster walls and a matching bamboo silk and wool rug that covers the entire floor area, creating a cohesive and sophisticated palette. Additionally, one room ingeniously incorporates tall mirrored panels, arranged perpendicularly to each other, which cleverly expand the visual perception of space, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the store's design.

The overarching design philosophy behind Colima 162 is a purist approach that allows the architectural intervention to acquire a sculptural presence, thereby challenging conventional retail design norms. Lasagabaster and Baño successfully created a proposal where a thoughtfully selected, contextual material palette and a deliberately neutral interior collectively elevate copper to be both the dominant visual element and the unifying thread of the entire project. This strategic use of materials and minimalist design principles ensures that Colima 162 is not merely a store but an experience, reflecting a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, history, and modern elegance.