Fanum
Product development
The purpose
Corkscrew inspired by the cross and the M on the roof of the new Basilica, both elements being proposed by Fray Gabriel himself.
Made with steel and dark herringbone wood
Tec
2020
Design, 3D modeling and rendering
Rhino
The process
Fray Gabriel Chávez de la Mora was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco in 1929 and developed in the fields of painting, sculpture, heraldry, and logo design, among others. His works have stood out both nationally and internationally, being considered an integral designer or 'a Renaissance man with work in the 20th and 21st centuries' (Plazola). He studied architecture and was the first graduate of the School of Architecture at the University of Guadalajara, receiving an Honorable Mention for Excellence for his thesis 'San José de Analco Parish Center in Guadalajara.'
After finishing his studies, he joined the Benedictine Monastery of Santa María de la Resurrección in Cuernavaca, where he was able to explore his own interests. From the moment he entered, he managed to balance his personal life with his spiritual life, which he later conveyed in his designs and architectural works. We can recognize that due to this fusion, he was the first person in Latin America to propose a chapel with the altar facing the congregation, which was directly accepted by the Vatican. Despite his inclination towards the Benedictine branch of religion, his art and work are universal, being accepted and revered by various international beliefs.
He has been recognized in many aspects, but something he did universally, which is easily identifiable even if you don't know his history or other designs, is his typography. The font known as 'Fray Gabriel' stands out for having a classic yet contemporary look; the line has remained consistent over the years, yet it doesn't feel old. This font has been used by Chávez in all his works, being a significant aspect of each of his creations. You can arrive at a place without knowing anything about him, but by identifying the typography, you can tell it has been designed or influenced by Fray Gabriel. Thanks to it, the Mexican Catholic Church has been written and identified in recent decades around the world
The design
Proposal 1: Corkscrew Inspired by the top of the Basilica: the cross and the "M" For this design, we were inspired by the cross and the "M" on the roof of the new Basilica, both elements proposed by Fray Gabriel during the construction project, which were not initially considered. He knew it was important for people walking by or from afar to see the highest part of the building as a reference. Hence, our intention was to create a corkscrew whose central body references the cross and functions as a handle and cap remover, while the arms reference the "M" and function as levers so that when pressed, the cork is easily extracted.
Proposal 2: Wine Decanter Inspired by the roof of the Basilica of Guadalupe This proposal stems from our intention to take the shape of the new Basilica's roof, one of the most characteristic elements of the work due to its distinctive green color and peculiar volume. Thus, we decided to create a wine decanter whose mouth width (which alludes to the top that supports the mast) and the structure of its walls (which alludes to the increasing volume of the tent) allow the wine that has been in the bottle for a long time to oxygenate.
Proposal 3: Wine Rack Inspired by the hexagonal shape of the Basilica's lamps and stained glass windows. We considered that the figure Fray Gabriel used for lighting marked his characteristic style, so we decided to take it as inspiration. In this way, we created a wine rack made of steel, with rings to support six bottles at once. We also decided to incorporate the rectangular shapes of the stained glass windows and place them oppositely depending on the primary colors. The stained glass windows are positioned to allow light to enter and reflect various colors and shapes on the walls or sheets of the object.
The impact
Render of Proposal - Fanum Corkscrew
The name comes from the Roman "Fanum," meaning "sacred place" or "sanctuary of the divinity." We consider the Basilica of Guadalupe, from which we took the cross and the "M," to be one of the most sacred places in Mexican culture due to its historical and religious context, making it one of the greatest symbols of national identity.
Materials
Brushed steel body
Polished chrome screws and cylinders
Black enamel steel helix
Dark herringbone wood
