LUIS BARRAGAN (1980)

 His professional training was in engineering,

resulting in a degree at the age of twenty-three. His
architectural skills were self-taught.
 He was associated with a movement known as the
Escuela Tapatía or Guadalajara School, which
espoused a theory of architecture dedicated to the
vigorous adherence to regional traditions.
 His work has been called minimalist, but it is
nonetheless sumptuous in color and texture. Pure
planes, be they walls of stucco, adobe, timber, or
even water, are his compositional elements, all
interacting with Nature.
 Called himself a landscape architect
 "I believe that architects should design gardens to
be used, as much as the houses they build, to
develop a sense of beauty and the taste and
inclination toward the fine arts and other spiritual
values."
 Opposed to functionalism, he strove for an "emotional architecture", stating "Any work of
architecture which does not express serenity is a mistake."
 His works have been described as "mystical" as well as serene
 Because of his interest in horses, he designed many stables, fountains and water troughs
that manifest many of these same qualities.
 "It is impossible to understand Art and the glory of its history without avowing religious
spirituality and the mythical roots that lead us to the very reason of being of the artistic
phenomenon. Without the one or the other there would be no Egyptian pyramids, nor those
of ancient Mexico. Would the Greek temples and Gothic cathedrals have existed?"
 “It is essential to an architect to know how to see—to see in such a way that vision is not
overpowered by rational analysis."
 In Kahn’s Salk Institute, he suggested that an open plaza, with only a water feature in
between, would better reflect the spirit of the location.
 When Barragan visited the gardens of La Alhambra in Spain, he became fascinated by the
beauty of the Islamic garden design, and that was reflected in this masterpiece and all the
landscape projects he created
WORKS

1. CUADRA SAN CRISTOBAL, Mexico

2. BARRAGAN HOUSE, Mexico

 It is now a museum exhibiting Barragán's work and is also used by visiting architects.
 In 2004, it was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because it is one of the most
influential and representative examples of modern Mexican architecture.

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3. TLALPAN CHAPEL, Mexico

4. LAS ARBOLEDAS, Mexico

5. FUENTE DE LOS AMANTES, Cuadra San Cristobal, Mexico (Lover’s Fountain)

 The fountain was built as part of a bigger project, a horse stable. It was called the source
of the lovers to reflect and emphasize the deep relationship and love a man has for his
horse. The sound of the water running down the wall provides peace and relaxation to
the rider as he passes by the fountain