A Conversation with Luis Barragán

Luis Barrag嫕 (1902-1985) was a preeminent Mexican architect known for spare formulations and documentation of his design ideas. He was born in Guadalajara, where he practiced in the early years of his career, and later traveled extensively in Europe, where he became influenced by concepts of early twentieth-century modernism. His ideas were especially shaped by the time he spent with Le Corbusier. He developed a design aesthetic that elevated the serenity of spaces above functionality. He spent most of his career in Mexico City, and his work went widely unrecognized for most of his life, though he enjoyed quiet acclaim from Louis Kahn, 翼varo Siza, and other prominent figures. His home and studio in Mexico City are a popular museum and have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yet little is known about this influential and highly regarded modern architect. A Conversation with Luis Barrag嫕, an insightful interview conducted by Alejandro Ram甏ez Ugarte in 1962, offers an account of Barrag嫕's career, travels, and primary aesthetic and architectural design concerns. Published for the first time in English, it provides a critical, if brief, look into the mind of Barrag嫕. The only lecture the architect ever delivered and the illuminating acceptance speech he delivered upon receiving the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize accompany the interview. Taken together this trio of documents forms a succinct corpus that goes to the heart of Barrag嫕's vision, providing a better understanding of his work and reinforcing his importance in the architecture world.