It’s five o’clock on a Sunday afternoon in June in Mérida, in the Mexican state of Yucatán as we return from visiting the ruins of Uxmal with Fernando Gómez Vivas, architect and, together with Gina Góngora, co-founder of Casa Vagantes. A project that started with a house in the city centre three years ago has today grown to four more houses and turned into one of the most exciting and adventurous architecture and interior design studios in the area.
The houses christened Ermita and Santa Ana followed shortly afterwards, and the same parameters were used for their remodelling. Somehow, that shabby green wall had determined the personality of Casa Vagantes, a project that today defines itself as “a community of travellers whose properties welcome avid lovers of imperfection and unique experiences”. Their way of understanding architecture and interior design, based on loyalty and respect, was so well received that Fernando left the architecture studio of which he was a partner in order to devote himself to all the projects that were coming in as a result of the impact that Casa Vagantes was having.
Gina’s ideals put her off the architectural boom that Mérida is experiencing, although she finds the prosperity that this sometimes brings to be a good thing: “I actually have a love-hate relationship with architecture. I feel like people are looking at local architects in a new light, and that’s a good thing. But society and the city’s growth… I think we’re moving a bit, not against the tide, but to one side.” She is aware of what the world sees in her city because she is also passionate about it: “I love living here. There are so many things… I mean, the beach is so close! There’s not as much to do as in Mexico City, but hey, there’s always plenty to create too. Things to discover.”
