Gilardi House - by José Luis Alvarez Tinajero (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Gilardi House thoroughly documents Luis Barragan ́s last project, la ́CASA GILARDI ́, an emblem of Mexican architecture.

In 1976, 10 years after his retirement from the practice of architecture, Barragan accepted the commission of two young publicists passionate about his architecture and designed the Giraldi House. This masterpiece was the last built project of Pritzker Prize winner Luis Barragan ́s prolific career.

Gilardi House aims to disseminate the complete history of the project, from the first sketch to its construction. It presents for the very first-time documents, plans, images, sketches and memories of distinguished visitors, ambitioning to shed light about this unpublished and largely unknown masterpiece and unique cultural establishment. This book not only unpacks original documentation of the project, but also includes critical reflections by contemporary architects and critics who have visited this private house, sharing a critical approach and a unique lesson for today's architecture.

With contributions of Charles Renfro / Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Daniel Libeskind, Paul Lewis / LTL, Snøhetta, Ricardo Devesa, Julio Jiménez Sarabia, Jorge Vázquez del Mercado, Martín Luque, among many others...

Review Quotes

"No major figure in the history of modernist architecture is as poorly represented in books as Luis Barragan. Part of the reason might be connected to a general unawareness of his work in the U.S., in spite of Frank Lloyd Wright's praise. Other reasons: Barragan emphasized the role that radiantly bright colors played in exterior designs, and alchemized imaginatively his sweeping knowledge of landscape architecture. This perceptively assembled text combines fine photographs, plans, and several useful essays and presents sensitively Barragan's final project in Mexico, a house like no other. This book is an invaluable contribution until Barragan is heralded in a sweeping survey text that he so deserves." --Norman Weinstein, Architecture Critic