In the Studio & In the City: ATRA
Photography by Christian Lamb
Founded by Swedish-Mexican designer Alexander Díaz Andersson, ATRA is a multidisciplinary design studio and furniture brand rooted in both craftsmanship and inspired by futurism. From their base in Mexico City, the studio creates sculptural furniture, interiors, and architectural projects that merge a deep respect for materiality with a bold, modernist sensibility. Whether designing for the home or the hospitality space, ATRA’s approach is intuitive yet precise—driven by a commitment to pleasure, process, and timeless design. At ATRA, Díaz Andersson leads a studio intent on creating work that endures both physically and emotionally.
Photography by Christian Lamb
The Design Release: How has Mexico City influenced your design philosophy?
Alexander Díaz Andersson: Mexico has been a place of profound learning for me. There’s an inherent richness in talent and tradition here—especially in craftsmanship. Working with artisans who have such deep skill and knowledge has not only taught me a lot, it’s also challenged me to rethink and refine my creative process, whether I’m working on an object or an architectural space.
Beyond that, Mexico’s history has a kind of mysticism to it. Pre-Columbian civilizations mastered architecture, astronomy, mathematics, and timekeeping—and they did it while integrating their designs seamlessly with nature. Their understanding of the environment and ability to adapt to it continues to inspire me.
I initially moved here for family reasons, and what started as a cultural shock became a deep appreciation. Today, I feel equally Swedish and Mexican. Sweden and Mexico are such different worlds—each beautiful in its own way. Mexico is raw, vibrant, and intense. Sweden is serene and open, with a quiet warmth. Spain, where I studied, shares cultural similarities with Mexico—the food, the rhythm, the traditions—but Mexico layers on its own surreal history.
TDR: What’s your morning routine like?
ADA: Mornings are sacred to me. I start the day with Gabriella—we always make each other coffee. It’s a small ritual, but it grounds us. Before getting into work mode, I play the piano for a while. It helps me ease into the day instead of rushing into productivity. My brain fires up quickly, so I have to consciously manage that—reminding myself to slow down and stay connected to the human experience.
I also try to get some exercise in before a shower—some days more than others.
TDR: Where do you work from, and what does a typical day look like?
ADA: I work mostly from my factory. My day is about improving processes—making production more efficient, pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship. It’s like playing Tetris all day: refining, adjusting, adapting.
Right now, I’m balancing three main projects: ATRA (architecture and furniture), Morphus.io (a mindfulness and biohacking project), and a land development on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Each project taps into a different part of my brain and needs its own type of focus.
Over the years, I’ve developed a method where I don’t always sketch—I design in my head. When the idea crystallizes, I can bring it to life quickly and precisely.
TDR: What inspires you?
ADA: Inspiration comes from many places—memories of my childhood home, the way a space made me feel, science fiction, space, the details of nature. I don’t chase inspiration. I try to stay open and let it find me.
TDR: What are your favorite cultural spots in Mexico City?
ADA: One of my favorite escapes is Xochimilco—especially during the week when it’s quiet. It’s a surreal experience, a reminder of what Mexico City once was: Tenochtitlán, a city of palaces and floating gardens. It feels mythological.
When people visit, I usually suggest walking through the historic center—Centro. Go to the Anahuacalli Museum, visit Teotihuacán early in the morning before it gets crowded. Roma and Coyoacán are great neighborhoods for wandering—bookstores, cafés, unexpected finds.
As for hidden gems… I keep my best taco spots secret. You’ll have to come with me to find those.
TDR: What are your go-to spots for food and drinks?
ADA: Mexico City’s food scene is endless, but a few places really stand out. Máximo will always be close to my heart—Lalo and Gabby were pioneers in bringing a modern gastronomic approach to the city. Contramar is a classic for lunch. Petra in Roma has that perfect mix of ambiance and food. And for something quick, El Califa and Orinoco are solid.
For drinks, I love the atmosphere at Lardo—my friends run it, and it always delivers.
TDR: How do you wind down?
ADA: Unwinding is about disconnecting from work and reconnecting with things that ground me. Playing piano, shaping my bonsai tree, home projects, making music with my brother, escaping to nature with my family—that’s what brings balance.
If I weren’t in design, I might be a music producer, a farmer… or maybe even an astronomer. But even on weekends, I’d probably be doing what I already do—eating well, walking through old parts of the city, and listening to or making electronic music.
TDR: What’s one experience you recommend for someone visiting Mexico City for the first time?
ADA: Go to the Centro Histórico. Stand in the Zócalo. See the cathedral, the ruins, the layers of history stacked on top of each other. Walk the streets, watch the people, and have lunch at Las Sirenas while looking out over the city.
TDR: How do you see Mexico City shaping the future of design?
ADA: Mexico City is becoming a powerful force in global design. There’s an energy here—something that’s still forming but becoming more defined. Talent is incubating, ideas are evolving, and the city is starting to demand attention. It’s hard to describe, but you can feel it. Something important is happening.
Alexander’s Guide to Mexico City
Creating a list of favorite restaurants, museums, or bars is a rite of passage for anyone living in Mexico City—and Alexander Díaz Andersson is no exception. While no single list can capture the full scope of CDMX’s ever-evolving energy, this guide offers a personal look at the places he returns to time and again, and recommends for an authentic experience.
RESTAURANTS
Masala y Maiz
C. Artículo 123 116, Colonia Centro
Al Andalus
Calle de Mesones 171, Colonia Centro
Tetetlán
Av. de Las Fuentes 180, Colonia Jardines de Pedregal
Ultramarinos Demar
Merida 21, Colonia Roma Norte
Sarde
Puebla 109, Colonia Roma Norte
Bar El Sella
Dr. Balmis 210, Colonia Doctores
Café de Tacuba
Calle de Tacuba 28, Colonia Centro
BARS
El Minutito
Londres 28, Colonia Juárez
Loup Bar
Tonala 23, Colonia Roma Norte
Salon Palomilla
AV. Yucatan 84C, Colonia Roma Norte
Voraz
Aguascalientes 93, Colonia Roma Sur
El Tigrillo
Colima 159, Colonia Roma Norte
La Vista
Puebla 90, Colonia Roma Norte
Drama Radiobar
Queretaro 188, Colonia Roma Norte
STORES & DESIGN
ATRA Trunk Show
Amsterdam 155, Colonia Condesa
Mvndo Varon
Agustin Melgar 4, Colonia Condesa
Ago Projects
Av. Paseo de la Reforma, Colonia Juárez
Galeria Cordoba
C. Córdoba, Colonia Roma Norte
Difane
Arquimedes 3, Colonia Polanco
Masa
Joaquín Pérez 6, Colonia San Miguel Chapultepec
Lolo Miscelanea Editorial
Av. Yucatan 3, Colonia Roma Norte
ART GALLERIES
Galerie Nordenhake
Monterrey 65, Colonia Juárez
Galeria Mascota
Valladolid 33, Colonia Roma Norte
Kurimanzutto
Gob. Rafael Rebollar 94, Colonia San Miguel Chapultepec
OMR
Córdoba 100, Colonia Roma Norte
Galerie Pepe
Amsterdam 123, Colonia Condesa
Galería Hilario Galguera
Francisco Pimentel 3, Colonia San Rafael
N.A.S.A.L
San Luis Potosí 123, Colonia Condesa
MUSEUMS & SIGHTSEEING
Espacio Escultórico / UNAM
University Theater Center, Colonia Universitaria
Museo Anahuacalli
Museo 150, Colonia San Pablo Tepetlapa
Biblioteca Vasconcelos
Eje 1 Norte, Colonia Buenavista
Casa Pedregal
Av. de Las Fuentes 180, Colonia Jardines de Pedregal
Nueva Cineteca Nacional
Av. Vasco de Quiroga 1345, Colonia Panteón Sta Fé
Museo Tamayo
Av. Paseo de la Reforma 51, Colonia Polanco
Museo del Instituto de Geología
Jaime Torres Bodet 176, Colonia Sta María la Ribera
STREET FOODS & MUNCHIES
Maizajo
Fernando Montes de Oca 113, Colonia Condesa
Cabo San Juan
Mercado de San Juan, Ernesto Pugibet 21, Colonia Centro
Casa Visconti
Plaza San Jacinto 20, Colonia San Ángel
Expendio de Maíz
Av. Yucatan 84, Colonia Roma Norte
Los Queridos
Homero 206, Colonia Polanco
Molino “El Pujol”
Benjamin Hill 146, Colonia Condesa