Em-Estudio Designs Mexico City Bar Inspired by Vintage Bookstores
A basement bar in Roma district utilizes thousands of books to create immersive interiors.
1Architectural Concept and Inspiration
Em-Estudio transformed a basement space beneath an early 20th-century house in Mexico City into a unique bar. The design team drew inspiration from the vintage bookstores found in the historic Roma neighbourhood. Their primary goal was to recreate the specific thrill of discovering hidden stories among thousands of aged volumes.
2Entryway and Atmospheric Lighting
Access to the bar begins through an unassuming street-level door leading to a vestibule. Visitors descend a wooden staircase surrounded by shelves packed with old books. Small lamps placed between the volumes create a moody, intimate glow that prepares guests for the transition from the bustling city into the quiet, book-lined interior.
3Materiality and Wall Treatment
The interior features dark herringbone flooring paired with surfaces drenched in deep burgundy tones. Large walls are entirely covered with shelves where books are stacked spine-inwards. This technique exposes the warm beige of the pages, which the designers describe as a tapestry of white shades that only time can provide.
4Lighting and Spatial Contrast
Cove lighting illuminates the book-filled walls, creating a dramatic contrast against the shadowy, intimate bar area. Below these shelves, banquettes are paired with circular marble tables for patrons. The lighting strategy ensures the books remain the focal point, shedding their literal meaning to become a textured, warm-toned skin for the room.
5Hidden Lounge and Material Details
A secret lounge space is concealed behind a bookshelf, featuring a distinct grocery-store aesthetic. This area replaces the burgundy palette with glossy green ceilings and a long central marble table. Dark wood Van Beuren chairs with yellow upholstery provide seating, while a back-wall mirror visually doubles the room's total perceived size.
6Metallic Accents and Functionality
Specific functional zones, including the DJ booth, the main bar, and the bathrooms, are highlighted with gold leaf and brass accents. These metallic elements serve to draw the eye and provide a refined contrast to the organic, paper-heavy environment. The design balances raw, historical textures with polished, high-end decorative material applications.
7Design Team and Collaboration
Em-Estudio was co-founded by architect Ivan Esqueda and interior designer Gala Sánchez-Renero. The project involved a wider team including Berenice Galindo, Sergio Peláez, and Fabián Cedillo. Their construction and carpentry work was executed by Miguel Ángel Márquez and Leonardo Cabrera, ensuring the complex shelving and interior installations met the studio's precise vision.
8Contextual Design Legacy
This project continues the collaborative practice of Esqueda and Sánchez-Renero, who previously worked on a concrete holiday home in Oaxaca. By repurposing a basement in a historic colonia, the studio demonstrates how thematic interior design can redefine commercial spaces. The bar stands as a testament to integrating literary atmosphere into hospitality.