The Dwell 24: Mool

For Edgar Tapia and Emmanuel Aguilar, design is about more than aesthetics. Whether it’s the curve of a table or the color of a chair, the duo behind Mool believe objects have the power to evoke feelings. "The first thing we want clients to see is the emotion," says Aguilar.

Tapia and Aguilar met in college while studying furniture and product design. Today they operate Mool out of their Mexico City fabrication studio and storefront, where they craft accessories and furniture, including timber media consoles, velvet chairs, and metal side tables.

The studio’s most recent collection, Pixán (Mayan for "soul"), focuses on powder-coated aluminum mirrors, vases, and other accessories. Each piece is made from hand-extruded metal that subtly bends into a soft, blooming shape like an abstract flower.

Below, learn why Aguilar and Tapia's consider two Eames shell chairs and an amber stone their most treasured possessions—plus read more of their responses to our Q&A.

Hometowns: Mexico City

Describe what you make in 140 characters. 

I do what I love on a daily basis. Every day I try to inspire people, explore creativity, and be joyful with my design surroundings. —Aguilar 

I am an observer that designs for life. Industrial designer, developer of ideas, and a romantic concept grabber. —Tapia 

What's the last thing you designed?

A kitchen. —Aguilar 

Our Sillon Roca and Reberu side tables. —Tapia 

Do you have a daily creative ritual? 

Not at all. —Aguilar 

I like to stare at the beautiful trees in front of my balcony at night, to notice their presence, and the diverse open spaces that compose my surroundings. They give me a new perspective to catch and breathe in. —Tapia

How do you procrastinate? 

Watching design videos on social media. —Aguilar 

Sometimes it’s not the time to work on a concept, but then when it happens, it’s an opportunity to develop it and show it off. —Tapia

What everyday object would you like to redesign? Why? 

The keychain is something that is in my pocket daily and most of the time uncomfortable. —Aguilar 

The lemon squeezer I think. Maybe there is a better way to squeeze lemons, recharge and squeeze another, more efficiently. —Tapia 

Who are your heroes (in design, in life, in both)? 

Naoto Fukasawa, Jasper Morrison, Jonathan Olivares and Jaime Hayon. Naoto, Jasper, and Jonathan are very similar in their design thinking and how they approach objects in a simple but strong pieces. Jaime Hayon is the opposite of the other 3 because of the playfulness and colorful way he goes about his design process. —Aguilar 

In life my parents, grandpas, brother, and life partner. People who believe in doing things differently and show us how to do the same. People who give their lives for others. Scholars who give us a part of their knowledge. Artists who imagine many possibilities for us. Many names are there and each one has been important at some point in my life, because of a poem, art, architecture, and more. —Tapia

What skill would you most like to learn? 

Rendering. —Aguilar 

I would like to learn to harvest. —Tapia

What is your most treasured possession? 

Two Eames shell chairs from 1954 in perfect condition. —Aguilar 

An amber stone that gives me peace of mind when the mind is restless. —Tapia

What's your earliest memory of an encounter with design? 

Maruni exhibition at Milan Design Week 2019. —Aguilar 

Maybe when I touched an object, like a spoon or a glass, for the first time.—Tapia

 What contemporary design trend do you despise? 

3D-printed trend. —Aguilar

I do not disregard any, since I use them to achieve a better results in my own work. —Tapia

Finish this statement: All design should...

be simple and colorful in all senses. —Aguilar 

be practical and beautiful. —Tapia 

 What’s in your dream house? 

A Serge mobile ceiling lamp. —Aguilar

My dream house is one with open spaces, contemplative architecture, textures, color and cleanliness; gathering areas, water elements. An energizing bath, green elements, a separate space for my office or noisy hobbies. It has to be in good location with good weather. —Tapia 

Did you pick up any new hobbies or learn a new skill while in quarantine? What was it? 

Rendering and social media (Instagram). —Aguilar

Not really, but I resumed practicing the drums. —Tapia 

How do you think the pandemic will affect residential design in the future? What about workplace or commercial design? 

In general, the spaces will be designed in a very conscious way for the user. All of it would respond to a 24/7 usability, comfortable and simple, with simple looks. —Aguilar

I think the use of easy cleaning and anti-bacterial materials will increase. For workplaces or commercial use, I think aseptic materials will be used. —Tapia

How can the design world be more inclusive? 

It would be more inclusive if it would be more accessible (better prices ) to everyone. —Aguilar

With more accessible prices. —Tapia

What do you wish non-designers understood about the design industry? 

That design matters on a daily basis. —Aguilar

It is part of what we necessarily use in all areas and the details and solutions are part of the evolution of our customs and habits. It needs a lot of work to be become real. —Tapia             

You can learn more about Mool by visiting their website or on Instagram. 

The Dwell 24 2020

Return to The Dwell 24 homepage and check out other emerging designers.  

The Design Life: What Inspires This Year’s Dwell 24?