Perkins&Will Offices – Monterrey
Perkins&Will designed their Monterrey studio to capture the essence of their craft and resonate with the local community, incorporating innovative design, sustainable practices, and local influences.
Perkins&Will embraced the view as the focal point when designing their own space in Monterrey, Mexico.
With a legacy of designing projects in Mexico dating back to the late 1950s, Perkins&Will made a strategic investment in 2020 to establish a ground-up studio in heart of Monterrey. The vision for their studio design was to introduce Perkins&Will to the Mexican market by capturing the essence of their craft by the way they design, utilize, and experience their workspace. Drawing inspiration from Mexico’s unique character and entrepreneurial industries, such as steel, concrete, glass, and brewing, the design team set out to create a studio that harmonizes innovation and tradition. The Monterrey studio is a successful implementation of Perkins&Will’s global design leadership, showcasing sustainable practices, community integration, and the incorporation of local influences.
Upon entering the studio, visitors are greeted by a concrete wall that extends seamlessly into the reception area. While concrete is a common material, its design in this space exudes a sense of lightness, expansiveness, and integration that is rarely seen. This feature serves as a refreshing yet familiar welcome to the Mexican community and serves as an introduction to Perkins&Will’s innovative design thinking. The wall’s directional texture warmly invites visitors inside, while its sculptural benching acts as a gathering point for the community. Recognizing the significance of the kitchen in Mexican culture, it was strategically placed at the heart of the studio, accompanied by a dynamic and flexible gathering area. The design team aimed to strike a balance between the magnificent views, natural light, and the surrounding mountainous backdrop. Warm, exposed, and modest fixtures and finishes were chosen to complement the backdrop and inspire creativity within the workspace.
The city of Monterrey stands out with its abundance of university architecture programs, surpassing many cities, including those in the U.S. This fact played a significant role in Perkins&Will’s decision to establish relationships in the city, leveraging the availability of exceptional talent. Internally, Perkins&Will’s dedicated investment in research and development has paved the way for collaborations with the local community and Mexico’s broader industries, fostering a synergistic partnership with Monterrey’s academic leadership. To deepen this bond, Perkins&Will designed a dedicated space within their studio that serves as a hub for design industry events, educational speakers, technical tutorials, and innovation showcases. Strategically positioned at the entry, this gathering space is accompanied by a material library, digital screens, and flexible display systems, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, further strengthening Perkins&Will’s connections within the Mexican community.
The integration of LEED, Fitwel, and WELL requirements added complexity to the project, presenting unique challenges. The design team embraced these intricacies in order to achieve the project’s sustainability goals. A wellness-focused design was fostered through the implementation of an open-office concept, complemented by adjacent space types. Thorough examinations were conducted to address specific features such as indoor air quality and material selection, ensuring compliance with all rating systems. The incorporation of the firm’s Precautionary List introduced an additional layer of complexity, particularly in evaluating local manufacturers. As a result, the LEED v4 IDC project achieved LEED Platinum, the largest of its kind in Latin America, as well as a Fitwel 1-star certification. The studio is also pursuing a WELL certification to further showcase excellence in sustainable design.
Perkins&Will’s Monterrey studio design successfully captures the essence of their craft and resonates with the local community. By aligning with Mexico’s unique character and entrepreneurial industries, the studio embodies innovation and tradition. Through this project, Perkins&Will reinforces their global design leadership and commitment to creating spaces that inspire creativity, collaboration, and well-being.
Design: Perkins&Will
Photography: The Raws
