When I was introduced to the work of Mexican architect Luis Barragán, I couldn’t understand why anyone would think of modern architecture as a cold discipline.
Looking back on my architecture training, one of my fondest memories was artist Lauretta Vinciarelli’s Graphic Arts class, where she asked a roomful of Columbia undergraduates to render the captivating work of Luis Barragán on paper. Fifty pink Prismacolor pencils and a term later, I was on my way to becoming an architect.
![Photograph by Esparta Palma via Flickr.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/fountain-pink-luis-barragan-esparta-palma-flickr-733x488.jpg)
Above: Barragán developed his own take on modernism, with the use of vivid colors and textural contrast as shown here.
![Casa Gilardi. Photograph by Kent Wang via Flickr.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/luis-barragan-casa-gilardi-kent-wang-flickr-e1495562654146-733x1303.jpg)
Barragán is regarded as one of the most important architects of the 20th century, and his buildings are memorable for their mastery of space and light.
![Photograph by Forgemind Archimedia via Flickr.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/luis-barragan-casa-tacubaya-mexico-forgemind-archimedia-flickr-733x488.jpg)
Above: Barragán was also a landscape architect; his sculptural forms and bright colors accentuate the natural surroundings. Water features are a common theme in the architect’s work. All images via Flickr.
For more, see 5 Favorites: Colorful Garden Walls.
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