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Luis Barragán
Creating intensely coloured buildings and gardens that made light, water and silence part of modern architecture.
House and Studio · Torres de Satélite
- Born
- 9 March 1902
- Birthplace
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Died
- 22 November 1988
More people
Luis Barragán
Luis Barragán was a Mexican architect trained as an engineer. His houses and landscapes joined modern forms with regional traditions and a concern for private, contemplative space.
Early life
Engineering first
Studied engineering in Guadalajara before establishing an architectural practice.
European journeys
Encountered the gardens of Ferdinand Bac and attended Le Corbusier’s lectures.
Career
- 1927–1936
Guadalajara practice
Designed houses in his home city.
- 1936
Mexico City
Moved his practice to the capital.
- 1940s–1970s
Houses and landscapes
Developed residential landscapes and increasingly spare, colourful spaces.
- 1980
Pritzker Prize
Received architecture’s international prize.
Selected buildings
House and Studio
His own Mexico City home.
Torres de Satélite
Monumental coloured towers made with Mathias Goeritz.
Casa Gilardi
House organised around a tree, light and an indoor pool.
Beyond work
Horses
His interest in horses informed stables, fountains and equestrian landscapes.
Spirituality
Religious belief and a search for serenity shaped his understanding of beauty.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: Fcarriedo. CC BY 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
