Casa de Luis Barragán

Luis Barragán (b.1902 - d.1988) is easily the most important and influential architect in Mexican History.  Born in Guadalajara, upon graduation from engineering school, Barragán traveled extensively in Europe, including Spain and France, where he honed his self-taught architectural style. 

Upon returning to México in the late 1920s, Barragán began working in Guadalajara and later relocated to México City circa 1936, where he spent time working on several urban planning projects and later, the Torres de Satelite.

Barragán's architectural style has been referred to as both modern and minimalist, with landscape and natural materials taking a central theme.  Much influence can be derived from Mexican construction, including tall, lightly colored walls found in Mexican pueblos, and the exposed wood-work of Mexican haciendas.  Barragán often referred to himself as a 'landscape architect', as he felt that nature and water should be integrated with living spaces.

Casa Barragán: Constructed in 1948, Luis Barragán's house and studio is representative of his common design influences.  Now a musuem, most of the house is as Barragán lived in it.  Visitors may tour the living areas, design studio an gardin areas.  The house designed to create solitarity and tranquility, away from the urban surroundings.  Light is an important element, and Barragán's makes much use of reflective and light surfaces throughout the house. 

 A devout Catholic, much of the houses artwork is religious in nature.  Visitors can also see Barragán's Pritzker Prize, the highest honor given to any living architect, as well as a Picasso painting, reportedly given to Barragán by the artist himself.

Casa Luis Barragán was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004.