Architecture and design firms: STVX and Rubén Álvarez Avendaño, Aguascalientes, Mexico

The details: In the Mexican city of Aguascalientes, a disused subterranean space beneath a public plaza dedicated to Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada has been reborn as the sexy lounge and arts venue Sótano Stallworth. Named for jazz musician Raúl Stallworth, the new concept honors its namesake with a warm and dynamic energy conceived by architecture and design firm STVX, which collaborated with designer Rubén Álvarez Avendaño on the venue. With no natural lighting or ventilation, the team established the 3,700-square-foot basement’s character through a sensitive, yet impactful lighting design. “We wanted to give that cozy feeling, but we did not want the solution to be monotonous. [We wanted it] to be changeable and have multiple configurations,” says STVX senior architect Oscar Hernández. The L-shaped club is anchored by a circular stage installed at the right angle, positioning performers to be visible to the whole venue. A network of 607 latticed wood slats wrap the space and transform the backdrop into a vacuum through which artificial light can bathe the interior in a range of intensities and chromatic tones.

This article originally appeared in HD’s July 2020 issue.