ALMA, Reflejo

By Diana Mosher

In case you haven’t heard yet, there’s a noise epidemic indoors, and it’s making people sick. Did you know that excessive sound can cause stress, sleep issues, and even cardiovascular disease? So acoustical (aka wellness) products, like Alfonso Verduzcoa’s new collection for WVH, are trending. Debuting at NeoCon in June, the Alfonso Verduzcoa x WVH ALMA Collection attracted lots of attention. Even passersby unfamiliar with the back story couldn’t resist getting up close to see and touch the products.

This emotional connection was by design. “People have an affinity for, and are attracted to, materials that have a history and a connection to the natural world,” says Mexican-born multidisciplinary designer Alfonso Verduzcoa, who designed ALMA, a system of acoustical architectural wall panels, in collaboration with WVH. Inspired by Mexico’s cultural and architectural identity, Alfonso reinterpreted ancient materials through a modern lens.

ALMA means “soul” in Spanish, but you don’t have to be bilingual to appreciate this sophisticated collection. Three highly tactile designs tap into universal emotions while expressing native, organic materiality.

ALMA, Sagrado

Reflejo, meaning “reflection” in Spanish, was designed around the reflective properties of obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass. Reflejo combines gray maple veneer with inlays of lava glass within the linear wood composition.

Sagrado (“sacred”) was inspired by the monumental nail-studded wooden doors found throughout historic Mexican architecture. Sagrado pairs the ancient Shou Sugi Ban (charred wood) technique on solid ash wood with solid copper inserts that develop a natural patina over time.

And Sendero (“pathway”) is Alfonso’s tribute to the volcanic stone streets of Mexico, worn smooth over centuries by weather and movement. Sendero integrates natural lava stone into the black ash wood's foundational structure. Each inlaid stone is left raw to preserve its density, granular surface and volcanic texture.

ALMA, Sendero

“Lava stone, copper, obsidian—these materials have been part of Mexican history and culture,” Alfonso says. “My challenge was how to incorporate them in a way that's innovative, elevates a space aesthetically, and creates a deeper connection with the user.”

According to the designer, “ALMA enhances wellness by considering how a space feels, not just how it functions.” INKONI, the fragrance introduced alongside the collection, extends ALMA’s sensory philosophy. It recalls the deeply familiar scent that happens when fresh rain touches pure earth in Mexican landscapes.

ALMA also needed to be globally attractive because WVH has a presence in multiple markets and different countries. Alfonso adds, “The collection has an authenticity that people everywhere instantly recognize—sometimes subconsciously—whether they realize it or not.” ⬥