Ala Bench by Atra Design

The work of architecture and design studio ATRA seamlessly blends the minimalist appeal of Scandinavian modernism with bold Mexican brutalism. Forever seeking to innovate, ATRA founder and creative director Alexander Díaz Andersson continues to embrace woodworking traditions while also working with marble, brass, travertine and more in the design of the studio’s side tables, desks, chairs and other furnishings.

Díaz Andersson was born and raised in Sweden. His Mexican mother and Swedish paternal grandparents worked in the furniture industry. He was naturally drawn to furniture design and architecture and was inspired by the Bauhaus, the clean lines attributed to the work of Finnish furniture designer Alvar Aalto, Italian architect-designer Carlo Scarpa’s building projects and the abstract creations of American sculptor Richard Serra. 

After studying design at the European Institute of Design in Spain, Díaz Andersson moved to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula — where he became fascinated with the local history of woodworking. Impressed with the workmanship and drawn to Mexican furniture, he began to envision a way to marry their traditional construction techniques with modern furniture production technology. 

Díaz Andersson opened ATRA in 2009 in Mexico City. The company’s first architectural commission was to design the Hejal — the holy Torah scrolls’ storage cabinet/altar — for the Birkat Itzjak Synagogue in Mexico City. The design was critically acclaimed and was the company’s watershed project, which launched their success as a prominent player in the design space.

ATRA’s Flow chair won a Gold A’Design Award in 2019. The studio has been featured in several design and architecture magazines, including Wallpaper, Architectural Digest and Surface.

On 1stDibs, find ATRA seating, tables, garden elements and more.

Galerie Philia is an international contemporary sculptural design and art gallery representing emerging and established designers and artists. The gallery is the brainchild of two brothers who share a lifetime passion for art, literature and philosophy. Their distinct academic background sets them apart from their peers, as it sees them following a rhizomatic and transcultural approach in the way they select works. This involves combining elements from multiple cultures in what becomes a network of harmoniously interconnected roots, ultimately revealing the beauty of each unique creation. The gallery’s non-hierarchical curation sits apart from the ephemerality of trends and focuses instead on the true aesthetic quality of the piece – alluring and timeless. Unlike others, Galerie Philia does not focus on a single style – whether minimalist, organic or raw – but rather embraces heterogeneity. The Galerie Philia takes pride in discovering new talents, providing them with multiple international platforms to showcase their latest creations. As well as propelling the newest generation of 21st century collectible design, Galerie Philia also works with internationally known design artists. Galerie Philia has a strong international presence, with galleries in Geneva, New York and Singapore. In addition to their permanent spaces, the gallery organizes temporary group exhibitions and artists residencies in first-class locations around the world.