The use of colours, open spaces and light as an integral element of his work is characteristic of the architecture of Luis Barragán, the only Mexican winner of the Pritzker Prize (1980), the highest award given to an architect for his consistent and significant contributions to society through the art of architecture.
Who is Luis Barragan?
Luis Barragán was born on March 9, 1902 in Jalisco. However, he grew up in Guadalajara, where he attended the Escuela Libre de Ingenieros. There he met the renowned architects Pedro Castellanos and Rafael Urzúa Arias, with whom he formed a close friendship.
After graduating as an engineer, he traveled to Europe to attend various art and architecture exhibitions. There he began to collect inspiration without knowing it. He lived a bit of the European Mediterranean cultures and received the impact of the Muslim culture. Finally, what left its mark on him was landscaping and urban ideas. Therefore, for the rest of his life, Barragán would sign on as an engineer or landscape architect.
Upon returning to Mexico, he worked remodeling houses in Guadalajara. Over time, his clientele grew and, little by little, he began to work for people with a high social and political profile. Thanks to this, he became popular and began to be invited to different major projects. Subsequently, he was a real estate developer of urbanization plans together with renowned architects such as Max Ludwig Cetto Day. Part of this work included the modernization of the Pedregal.
“Underlying my work are the memories of my father's ranch, where I spent years in childhood and adolescence, and my work always encourages the attempt to transpose the magic of those distant longings so full of nostalgia to the contemporary world. The lessons contained in the popular architecture of the Mexican province have been a source of permanent inspiration for me: its whitewashed walls; the tranquility of its patios and orchards; the color of its streets and the humble manor of its squares surrounded by shady portals”
WORKS YOU SHOULD KNOW BY LUIS BARRAGÁN
Built in 1948, it represents one of the most important contemporary architectural works in the international context, as recognized by UNESCO by including it, in 2004, on its World Heritage list.
At 80 years of age and after almost 10 years of inactivity. It is located in Mexico and the work reflects the influence of Mexican culture and the painters Diego Rivera and Frida Kalho.
As part of the Ciudad Satélite project, in 1958 Barragán was commissioned to create a fountain in the residential complex. Together with the sculptor Mathias Goeritz, Barragán designed five towers with a triangular floor plan and different colors and heights (the highest being 52 meters), with a sculptural character.