Taller Di Frenna Arquitectos by Di Frenna: Material Geometry

Architecture MasterPrize winner in the Commercial Architecture category, Taller Di Frenna Arquitectos by Di Frenna Arquitectos in Colima, Mexico, expresses a strong dialogue between materiality, geometry, and nature. Designed as both a workplace and a spatial manifesto, the project reflects the studio’s architectural philosophy through concrete volumes, courtyards, and natural light.

We spoke with Lead Architect, Matia Di Frenna to gain insight into the Taller Di Frenna Arquitectos project, its vision, design process, and architectural intent.

Could you share some background about yourself or your practice?

Matia Di Frenna: Di Frenna Arquitectos is a young, multidisciplinary architecture and design practice based in Colima, Mexico. The studio works at the intersection of architecture, landscape, and construction, with a strong focus on understanding the relationship between users, space, and context.

Our work is deeply connected to tradition while remaining open to experimentation, particularly in the use of materials and construction techniques. We collaborate closely with skilled Mexican artisans and builders, valuing craftsmanship as a fundamental part of the architectural process. For us, architecture is conceived as space-place: functional, durable, and emotionally resonant.

What was the brief for the award-winning Taller Di Frenna Arquitectos?

Matia Di Frenna: The brief for the Taller was to design a workspace that could function simultaneously as an architecture studio, a place for collaboration, and a physical manifesto of the studio’s design philosophy.

Beyond accommodating practical programmatic needs, the project was intended to foster creativity, dialogue, and connection—with nature, with the city, and among the people who inhabit it daily. The building needed to be robust, flexible, and deeply rooted in its local context.

Please describe your design process and how you approached the Taller Di Frenna Arquitectos.

Matia Di Frenna: The design process began with a careful reading of the site, climate, and surrounding landscape. From the outset, we explored how mass, light, and void could shape both the spatial experience and daily routines within the building. We worked through physical and conceptual models, using orthogonal volumes to define clear architectural gestures while allowing courtyards, vegetation, and light to soften the overall composition. Material decisions were developed in parallel with construction logic, ensuring that structure, form, and atmosphere evolved together as a cohesive system.

What were the main challenges during the Taller Di Frenna Arquitectos, and how did you resolve them?

Matia Di Frenna: One of the main challenges was balancing the heaviness of concrete volumes with a sense of openness and human scale. This was resolved by introducing courtyards, suspended circulation elements, and generous openings that bring light, air, and visual continuity into the building.

Another challenge was achieving material precision while working with exposed finishes. Close collaboration with builders and constant on-site supervision allowed construction processes to become part of the architectural expression rather than something to conceal.

What do you consider the most distinctive or innovative aspect of the Taller Di Frenna Arquitectos?

Matia Di Frenna: The most distinctive aspect of the project is the way solid, monumental volumes coexist with light, permeable spaces. The contrast between concrete mass and delicate steel walkways, between enclosure and openness, creates a dynamic spatial experience throughout the building. Rather than innovation through form alone, the project’s strength lies in how architecture, landscape, and daily use are integrated into a single, continuous system.

Which outcomes of the Taller Di Frenna Arquitectos are you most proud of, and why?

Matia Di Frenna: We are particularly proud of how the building supports everyday work while also inspiring reflection and interaction. The Taller has become a space that encourages collaboration, transparency, and a strong sense of community within the studio.

We are also proud of the material honesty of the project, how concrete, steel, wood, light, and vegetation coexist without hierarchy, each contributing to the atmosphere and identity of the space.

What inspires your work, and who or what has had the strongest influence on your approach within your discipline?

Matia Di Frenna: Our work is inspired by modern Latin American architecture, vernacular spatial traditions, and the landscapes of the Mexican Pacific. Climate, vegetation, and the relationship between interior and exterior spaces strongly influence our approach. Equally important is the influence of craftsmanship and construction knowledge. Working closely with builders and artisans informs our understanding of materials, scale, and durability, shaping an architecture that is both expressive and grounded in reality.

What does receiving an Architecture MasterPrize mean to you, and how do you see it influencing your future work or practice?

Matia Di Frenna: Receiving an Architecture MasterPrize is a meaningful recognition of our studio’s values and design approach. It validates a way of working that prioritizes context, material honesty, and emotional experience over formal excess. The award encourages us to continue exploring architecture as a balance between rigor and sensitivity, and it strengthens our commitment to developing projects that are deeply connected to place while engaging in a broader international dialogue.

We thank Matia Di Frenna , Lead Architect at Di Frenna Arquitectos, for sharing the story behind Taller Di Frenna Arquitectos, a project where material honesty, craftsmanship, and spatial clarity converge to shape a meaningful architectural experience. The building demonstrates how contemporary architecture can remain deeply rooted in context while fostering creativity, collaboration, and a strong connection to nature in Colima, Mexico.