TOLUCA LA BELLA

A collection of furniture and lighting created by fifth-semester students. The students draw inspiration from some of the most iconic architectural ensembles in Toluca, State of Mexico, known as "Toluca la Bella." This name reflects the city’s charming colonial and neoclassical architecture, its rich history, and the distinct beauty of its urban landscapes, which remain striking even in the midst of an industrial environment.

The pieces explore a variety of creative possibilities, primarily using wood and metal. Through different techniques, the students capture the beauty within chaos, representing Toluca as an industrial and cold city, like metal, but also warm and inviting, like wood. Inspired by iconic buildings, these designs aim to become sanctuaries that evoke harmony amidst the dynamism of this unique city.

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CATEDRAL DE TOLUCA

Daniela Piña, Diana Laura Contreras

This collection is inspired by the Cathedral of Toluca, which houses the façade of the Church of the Sagrario. It is the city’s first church, over 300 years old. During the colonial period, the Spanish commissioned indigenous people to build the churches, who incorporated elements of their own culture and European influences through Tequitqui art. One example of this is the carving of flowers on the façade, which represents the Toloache flower. This flower holds deep cultural significance, as it is said to be associated with the god of love and its use in rituals to connect with spiritual realms.

Palacio Municipal de Toluca

Lilia Victoria Orozco, Julián Jaimes

This collection is inspired by the Municipal Palace, which houses a mural that tells the story of corn. According to the Otomi people, many years ago, a child escaped from the evil beings that dominated the world. He climbed a great tree, from which droplets emerged and gave birth to corn. Before the evil ones could reach him, the child ascended to become the Sun. The materials and forms in this collection reflect architectural details of the Municipal Palace and are inspired by the story of corn. Through this collection, the intention is to honor Otomi culture, recognizing the deep connection between the people and their traditions, as well as the sacred significance of corn in their heritage.

cosmovitral

Raquel Pérez, Lesly Yunuel González

This collection is inspired by the Cosmovitral, an impressive botanical garden surrounded by colorful stained glass in the Art Nouveau style, symbolizing the union between nature and humanity. This masterpiece encapsulates a cyclical story of the struggle between opposites, created by the painter, muralist, and sculptor Leopoldo Flores. The repetitive elements come together to form a whole, where a disruption emerges to represent this balance of opposites.

Sala Felipe Villanueva

María Fernanda Rodríguez, José Manuel López

This collection is inspired by the Felipe Villanueva Concert Hall and its postmodernist architecture, whose main element is the triangle, present from the lobby to the interior of the hall. This shape, combined with advanced imported technology, ensures that sound reaches every spectator uniformly. During a trip to New York, architect José Luis Contreras discussed his project with Leoh Ming Pei, who advised him to prioritize the lobby design and make it visible to all by using glass, with the goal of attracting everyone to become part of the city's classical music culture.