Etsy’s Mexico City office is a celebration of the vibrant colors and textures of modern Mexican design. In establishing their first dedicated workplace in the country, Etsy – the global marketplace for unique and creative goods made by real people – wanted its office to embody the region’s rich heritage of arts and architecture, and highlight the handmade craftsmanship its marketplace is known for. Housed in a brutalist-inspired building on the Parque Lincoln, the interior embraces the exposed concrete and austere geometry in its open desking zones. By contrast, the meeting rooms and amenities spaces are bursting with inspiration gleaned from local artists, traditional craft techniques and the colorful houses of Luis Barragan.
A spirit of collaboration is critical to the expression of Mexican culture in the office. The design worked closely with a curated roster of up-and-coming artists and designers to co-create the unique collection of locally-made furniture and artwork that fills the space. Given a program of technical and functional requirements, each partner brought their own cultural history, experience and practices to their objects within the project. The result is a workplace that tells a story that is diverse yet harmonious, artfully employing the materials, forms and colors of its place. From nearly every seat in the office, employees and visitors are directly in touch with a unique table or a chair that was designed and made in Mexico – a tactile reminder of Etsy’s mission to Keep Commerce Human.