Beauty. Enchantment. Magic. These are just three of nine words that Luis Barragán felt had been banished from the lexicon of architecture, words that, as the Mexican architect said in his acceptance of the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1980, “have never ceased to be my guiding light.”
Those concepts are evident in Barragán’s buildings across Mexico, defined by powerful planes, humble materials, dramatic shadows, and jubilant swaths of color. His projects—ranging from the Capuchin Convent Chapel, an ethereal house of worship in Mexico City, to his own color-doused residence, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site—have become sites of pilgrimage for architecture and design lovers.
La Cuadra is one of Barragán’s seminal projects and remained in private hands until 2017.
This fall, devotees can add another Barragán masterwork to their list. La Cuadra San Cristóbal, a private residence and equestrian complex outside the Mexican capital, is set to open to the public as a cultural center later this year.
The courtyard features a central pool and fountain.
Since its completion in 1968, La Cuadra San Cristóbal has become one of the architect’s defining works for its hot-pink exterior, stark geometry, and sprawling courtyard. The property remained in the hands of its original client, the family of Folke Egerström, until the private foundation of Mexican architect Fernando Romero (best known outside of his home country for his torquing Soumaya Museum in Mexico City), acquired the property in 2017 with the goal of preserving it and transforming it into a destination for art and architecture.
“Our work at the Fundación is driven by the belief that architectural innovation and artistic production can help foster a more just and culturally vibrant world,” Romero said in a statement. “Through a range of programming, we aim to catalyze the power of architecture for the visiting public and celebrate the enduring cultural influence of Luis Barragán.”
Architect Fernando Romero in the courtyard of La Cuadra.
Fundación Romero, working in tandem with the Egerström family, has developed a strategic masterplan for the 6.7-acre estate, a plan that will include a timber pavilion designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, a library, a flexible venue, a cafe, and more. In the short term, La Cuadra will be open to a select group of guests and students during the Zona Maco art fair as well as inaugurate its initial artists in residency program with artist Marina Abramović, who will be creating an “intervention” in the house’s courtyard.
Over the next decade, the La Cuadra estate will get the addition of several new pavilions and facilities.
The complex is expected to open to the public this fall, with—of course—an exhibition devoted to Barragán.
“I believe that a work of art reaches perfection when it conveys silent joy and serenity,” Barragán continued in his Pritzker speech. Unfortunately for him, this is one project that his acolytes won’t be able to stop talking about.
Anna Fixsen is the deputy digital editor of ELLE DECOR, where she oversees all facets of ELLEDECOR.com. In addition to editing articles and developing digital strategy, she writes about the world’s most beautiful homes, reviews the chicest products (from the best cocktail tables to cute but practical gifts), and reports on the most exciting trends in design and architecture. Since graduating from Columbia Journalism School, she’s spent the past decade as an editor at Architectural Digest, Metropolis, and Architectural Record and has written for outlets including the New York Times, Dwell, and more.
