Metate – Metal Stool
by TU TALLER DESIGN · Medellin, Colombia

Talking about product or industrial design in Colombia may seem abstract, but it doesn’t imply a lack of quality. Often, it strays from its true purpose: to promote and improve the industry. The Metate project  by Tu Taller Design aims to change this paradigm.
Medellín was conceived as an industrial city, with companies along the Medellín River focused on production. Over time, unplanned urban development occurred. Automotive sector issues led to semi-industrial neighborhoods where automotive components were made and repaired.
Over four decades, this sector specialized in high-quality parts, often surpassing imported products. However, in 2023, with the rise of dealerships and renting options, banks, insurance companies, and individuals prefer new parts over repairs. This shift has led many specialists to lose relevance, and the experts, once called “Magicians,” are no longer recognized for their skills.
Currently, the few remaining in this field now create kitchen countertops and industrial refrigeration solutions. Our design studio aims to rescue and highlight both traditional and industrial skills. Our mission is to identify industry needs and add significant value.
Tu Taller Design developed Metate, referring to a grinding tool, presenting a piece of furniture that functions as a table or chair, reflecting a crucial social moment and Colombia’s industrial skills. This piece improves welding, post-forming, painting, and finishing processes and represents the highest quality production.
Our intention is to create a link between the past and the future, a “POST COLOMBIAN” evolution in industrial, aesthetic, and conceptual terms. The most valuable aspect lies in the context and people making these efforts global. The world demands content that connects with the past and understands from a global perspective.

Handle this piece with gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints