Natural urbano: harmony and functionality
PRODUCTION: Ademán
product photography:
Natural Urbano
text: Sofia Arredondo
Since its inception in 2006, the Mexican studio Natural Urbano, led by visual artist Sebastián Beltrán and graphic designer Lorena Márquez, has achieved a unique fusion of art and design. The studio explores and challenges the conventional boundaries between utility and aesthetics, crafting everyday objects that transcend their practical function to become artistic expressions capable of transforming the spaces they inhabit. Through this vision, design takes on a central role in daily life, presenting pieces that go beyond mere functionality to become witnesses to the dialogue between nature and urbanity. The two artists are also a married couple who have known each other since they were fifteen years old.
At Natural Urbano, every creation is guided by three principles: the idea, the experiment, and the execution. This deliberately hands-on creative process is deeply rooted in a profound appreciation of materials such as ash and tzalam wood, metals, and linen. These elements are carefully selected and reinterpreted, merging artisanal techniques with contemporary design concepts. As a result, each object serves as a bridge between the industrial and the domestic, adapting seamlessly to diverse environments and needs, while fostering harmony and functionality.
With a background in sculpture, Sebastián Beltrán brings a three-dimensional vision to his design work, reflected in his fascination with form and its interaction with light. For him, light is not merely a functional element but a means of infusing life into his creations. His design approach revolves around three essential values: concept, form, and light, which manifest tangibly in each piece produced by Natural Urbano.
A prime example of this philosophy is the studio’s latest collection, with the "Lake" lamp as its centerpiece. Inspired by the fluidity and surface tension of water, this piece captures the ethereal essence of a lake bordered by land, transforming spaces into intimate havens of serenity and beauty. “Lake” embodies the spirit of the studio: a harmonious synthesis of nature and civilization, where each object tells a visual and tactile story.
INTERVIEWER
How does light inspire you?
natural urbano
Sebastian: For me shapes are very important, I think it’s basically because I’m a sculptor and I’m very attracted and feel immensely identified by three-dimensionality, and how an object can give the correct light in a certain way. There are three important values to consider in my design process which are: the concept, shape and light.
INTERVIEWER
Your favorite morning routine?
natural urbano
Sebastian: We start by enjoying a very good cup of coffee on our way to our studio, once there we check on the ongoing projects and daily tasks with our team and after that we go to the production area.
INTERVIEWER
What lights you up?
natural urbano
Design, art, music, family, nature and friends, to discover new things.
The founders' backgrounds, drawing from influences as diverse as graffiti, skateboarding, and surfing while they were living in Ensenada, along with constant collaboration with architects and designers, have shaped the multidisciplinary language that defines the studio. Their creations, born from artisanal craftsmanship and evolving into series production, are the organic result of the convergence of art, design, and practicality.
Natural Urbano’s work occupies a liminal space between the useful and the decorative, blurring the lines between aesthetics and practicality. Each piece invites contemplation, creating an interaction between the user and the object that enriches everyday life. These objects do more than illuminate or adorn; they communicate, evoke, and transform.In essence, Natural Urbano is more than a design studio; it is a laboratory of ideas where nature, art, and urban life converge to create pieces that bring both aesthetic and functional value to modern living.
How does light inspire you?
natural urbano
Sebastian: For me shapes are very important, I think it’s basically because I’m a sculptor and I’m very attracted and feel immensely identified by three-dimensionality, and how an object can give the correct light in a certain way. There are three important values to consider in my design process which are: the concept, shape and light.
INTERVIEWER
Your favorite morning routine?
natural urbano
Sebastian: We start by enjoying a very good cup of coffee on our way to our studio, once there we check on the ongoing projects and daily tasks with our team and after that we go to the production area.
INTERVIEWER
What lights you up?
natural urbano
Design, art, music, family, nature and friends, to discover new things.
The founders' backgrounds, drawing from influences as diverse as graffiti, skateboarding, and surfing while they were living in Ensenada, along with constant collaboration with architects and designers, have shaped the multidisciplinary language that defines the studio. Their creations, born from artisanal craftsmanship and evolving into series production, are the organic result of the convergence of art, design, and practicality.
Natural Urbano’s work occupies a liminal space between the useful and the decorative, blurring the lines between aesthetics and practicality. Each piece invites contemplation, creating an interaction between the user and the object that enriches everyday life. These objects do more than illuminate or adorn; they communicate, evoke, and transform.In essence, Natural Urbano is more than a design studio; it is a laboratory of ideas where nature, art, and urban life converge to create pieces that bring both aesthetic and functional value to modern living.