As we’ve read in multiple accounts now, Barragán is a different type of modernist. The spaces in his house constrict movement and sight lines, forcing you to experience each space on his terms. Walls jut out to obscure doors and large panels obscure most of the windows in the house. This feeling of constraint is what distinguishes Barragan’s work from other houses designed by past modernist masters, including Le Corbusier whom Barragán himself looked up to. It also reflects Barragan’s interest in privacy and anonymity. He is said to have hated windows and loved darkness.    

The bright colors are usually cited as making the place “Mexican”,  symbols of Mexico that are related to use rather than abstract symbols. 

Here are a few things we noticed inside the house:

Lots of reflective glass balls. A museum employee informs us that these were made by his friend and mentor, Chucho Reyes, and are another way of playing with space, light, and sight lines. In the dining room (there are actually two! one for when he had guests and the other one only Barragán was allowed. he’s said to have had his breakfasts there even when there were guests.) In the social dining room there’s a deformed green globe, contextualized by the deliriously lush garden that it reflects.  

No namecards needed. His dining room table has three seats facing the garden for important guests, and three facing a clown painting and the deformed green ball for less important guests. Barragan himself would sit at the head of the table when entertaining. 

#Aesthetics: Barragan liked the aesthetics of functionalism, but it seems he was not deeply committed to functionalism himself. His Pueblo plates and bowls were permanently on display on his shelf in the dining room, and had a traditional silverware chest installed that was always empty. 

The Takeaways: It’s definitely the only place I’ve been that I would call both monastic and luxurious.

We leave with more questions than we came with. Primarily, what does it mean for him to build a mansion for a single person in a culture where family is such a central value?