A former 17th-century stable for the Dragones cavalry, among the heroes of the Mexican Independence, La Casa Dragones was transformed into an elegant private home for tequila tastings and private events. Located in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, this project is a representation of artisanal craftsmanship, rich historic significance, and avant-garde design.
La Casa Dragones was reimagined as a showcase of some of the most significant mid-century Bajío and contemporary Mexican design. Akin to Brazilian Modernism, Bajío design is a now-revered period of mid-century Mexican design characterized by outstanding workmanship, natural materials, and organic shapes.
For La Casa Dragones, Ana Elena Mallet and Raul Cabra have mixed pieces by pioneers of Bajio design with those of a new generation of Mexican artisans to create an environment that feels completely contemporary. This idea is reflected in the four-bedroom suites diligently curated by the designers. The artisanal nature was key for Mallet when selecting the pieces for the different rooms. More than 100 items, including furniture, textiles, ceramics, photography and other objects, come from public and private collections in destinations in Latin America, the United States, and Europe.
The main bedroom is lit by a fire in the stone hearth during the winter months. It is moody, with a rare Shoemaker sling chair and above the bed hangs an abstract 5-by-8-foot tapestry by Trine Ellitsgaard, a Danish textile artist living in Oaxaca.
The result is a deeply contemporary house that is grounded in the great material and cultural wealth of Mexico, while still expressing a deep sense of understated luxury.
La Casa Dragones has won the LIV Hospitality Design Award in the Architectural Design & Historic Heritage category due to its exquisite design which is a combination of organic shapes and outstanding craftsmanship.
