The 13th FabCafe in the world is now open in Mexico City!

In February 2022, FabCafe Mexico City opened as the 13th new FabCafe location in the world.
FabCafe Mexico City, the second FabCafe location in Mexico, is located inside the Membrana Lab, which experiments and spreads biotechnology, XR, and other technologies. FabCafe Mexico City and Membrana Lab is run by curator and artist Tania Aedo and biomedia artist and glass artisan Federico Hemmer.

The first FabCafe opened in Shibuya, Tokyo in 2012. In the 10 years since then, the FabCafe global network has expanded to 13 locations in 8 countries around the world.

Federico Hemmer (left) and Tania Aedo (right), Co-founder of FabCafe Mexico City.

The Membrana Lab, where FabCafe Mexico City is based, is a lab where XR and biotechnology experiments are conducted. Membrana means «membrane» in Spanish. Nestled between old natives trees and a charming garden, Membrana Lab has a space for XR, wet and dry bio labs, and an exhibition space.

The Membrana Lab collaborates with artists and researchers in art, science, technology, narrative exploration and other disciplines. The process and prototypes of their activities are exhibited in the exhibition space. In the future, long-term activities such as artist residencies are also being planned.

The mission of FabCafe Mexico City is to spread a curious attitude and way of learning through various creativity-driven activities while connecting the local and cultural context with the contemporary global context,» said founders, Tania and Federico, who are both artists themselves.

Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, is a metropolitan city with approximately 9.21 million residents. From the historic downtown area to the sophisticated cafes lining the streets, the city has a charm that cannot be described in a single word. While the city was one of the first to install shared bicycles and is actively adopting technology and new approaches, there is also a deep-rooted culture of shopping in local chaotic markets and eating tacos on the streets. As an economic and cultural hub, the city features both the cosmopolitan vibe of a modern 21st century city while embracing its rich Aztec historical and cultural roots.

Membrana Lab, where FabCafe Mexico City is located, is in the San Jeronimo district in the Lomas Quebrada area in the southern part of Mexico City. Although it is approximately 40 minutes from downtown Mexico City, the location is nearby large universities and schools such as UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico).

The area is also rich in nature, and is adjacent to a national park, a protected natural area, and a river that connects to the Magdalena River, one of the two rivers in Mexico City.