On the back of the arrival of Fernando
Romero’s Soumaya Museum and David
Chipperfield’s Jumex, Mexico City is in a
state of spirit-lifting rejuvenation. Its bar and
restaurant scene is fertile. The international
clamour for Mexican art has encouraged an
explosion of gallery openings and an influx of
talent. And now the city is World Design
Capital 2018. The theme, Socially Responsible
Design, was announced before a devastating
earthquake in September, but has become a
call to action, with some 100 architects,
Mauricio Rocha, Pedro Reyes and Tatiana
Bilbao among them, working towards a
strategy for post-earthquake architecture.
October sees Design Week Mexico, followed
by Abierto Mexicano de Diseño. And while
the city awaits a new airport by Norman
Foster and Romero, this year it will welcome
Torre Cuarzo on Reforma, Richard Meier’s
mixed-use skyscraper. Benoît Loiseau
The Wallpaper* City Guide to Mexico City
is published by Phaidon, £6.95
BEST CITY
Mexico City
Judges’ Awards