Luis Barragan

Casa Luis Barragan, at Tacubaya, Mexico, 1947.   Article at ArchitectureWeek

(b. Guadalajara, Mexico 1902; d. Mexico City, Mexico 1988)

Louis Barragán was born in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1902. After he graduated with a degree in engineering in 1924, he travelled extensively throughout Europe. His future design ideas were shaped by the Moorish architecture of Southern Spain, the domestic architecture of the Mediterranean, the gardens of Ferdinand Bac, the theories of Frederick Kiesler, and the writings and theories of Le Corbusier.

Barragan designed his early works in the International Style. However, in 1945 the ideas generated by his travels through Europe and by his own sense of Mexican "regionalism" synthesized into a personal design style. Additionally inspired by native artwork, Barragan sought to create an architecture that retained its vernacular roots while it strove for spiritual beauty and harmony with nature. Barragan has tried to recreate the serenity and beauty of his childhood surroundings through a romantic approach to landscape architecture.

Unlike his contemporaries he adhered to the theories of painter and landscape architect Ferdinand Bac who focused upon the garden as a magical environment. Thick walls, small openings, bright colors, and the use of natural material characterize his mature compositions. These later works also depend on the delightful interplay of sunlight and water for much of their success.

Barragán died in Mexico City in 1988.

References
Dennis Sharp. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Architects and Architecture. New York: Quatro Publishing, 1991. ISBN 0-8230-2539-X. NA40.I45. p17-18.

Adolf K Placzek. Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects. Vol. 1. London: The Free Press, 1982. ISBN 0-02-925000-5. NA40.M25. p142-143.

Details

Recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, 1980.

"Remembering a Barrag‡n Landscape ", by Keith L. Eggener, ArchitectureWeek No. 125, 2002.1204, pC1.1.

"Casa Luis Barragan: Poetry of Color", by Carlos Agresta, ArchitectureWeek No. 28, 2000.1129, pD1.1.

Barragan : The Complete Works by Luis Barragan (Artist), Antonio Toca Fernandez, Mariana Yampolsky, Alvaro Siza, Antonio Toca (Contributor), J. M. Buendia (Contributor). Princeton Architectural Press, April 1996. ISBN 156898085X. — Available at Amazon.com

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Search the RIBA architecture library catalog for more references on Luis Barragan
 

Barragan Foundation — home of Barragán's professional archive (Flash-based site)

Luis Barragan Pritzker Prize — Several pages of good background information, at the Pritzker Prize site.

Museo virtual Luis Barragán — Excellent multi-faceted site on Barragan, in Spanish.

Luis Barragan at Archiplanet — Find, add, and edit info at the all-buildings collaboration

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