Art and Design Inspiration
Luis Barragán: Celebrating Colourful Mexican Architecture
In this blog, we will explore the life and work of Luis Barragán, one of Mexico’s most renowned architects. After Sonya visited Mexico earlier this year, she found great inspiration Barragán’s use of colour and shape to craft atmospheres in his contemporary buildings, so we wanted to dive deeper into his unique design philosophy and how his approach continues to influence architecture today.
Who was Luis Barragán?
Luis Barragán was a renowned Mexican architect known for his masterful use of colour, light, and space. His architectural approach was deeply rooted in both modernist principles and the traditional aesthetics of Mexico, creating a unique style. Barragán used bold, vibrant hues, natural materials and carefully designed light, to create a serene atmosphere. Some of his most iconic buildings were, ‘Casa Luis Barragán’ (1948), Torres de Satélite (1957) and Cuadra San Cristóbal (1968).
Portrait of Luis Barragan
The Life of Luis Barragán
Luis Barragán was born in 1902 in Guadalajara, Mexico, a city with rich architecture and vibrant culture. He went on to study civil engineering and architecture at the Escuela Libre de Ingenieros and later graduated in 1925. Luis then travelled across the world to Europe, where he was deeply influenced by the gardens and architecture of Spain, France, and Morocco.
Upon returning to Mexico in 1931, Barragán started his own architectural practice. His early projects were modest but began to reflect the principles that would define his later work: the use of minimalism, the integration of natural elements, and the evocation of spirituality through architecture. His early commissions were largely residential, and he was gradually gaining recognition for his unique approach to design.
Barragán’s reputation flourished in the 1950s and 1960s with a series of landmark projects, and his work went on to inspire and influence architects, artists, and creatives across various fields.
Early projects by Barragán in Guadalajara as published in the Architectural Record in 1931
Luis Barragán’s iconic style
The three components which make Luis Barragan’s style iconic, is his use of space, shape and colour.
Space
Luis Barragán’s use of space was not just about physical form but about how people experience it—how light filters through a room, how a courtyard feels enclosed yet expansive, and how movement through a building becomes a journey.
He often used high, unadorned walls to create a sense of intimacy and seclusion, making interiors feel like personal sanctuaries. These walls, however, were never oppressive; they were softened by warm colors, the interplay of light and shadow, and openings that framed views of gardens, courtyards, or sky. This careful balance between containment and openness gave his architecture a meditative quality—spaces felt protected yet never confined.
Gilardi House
Shape
Luis Barragán’s use of shape in architecture was characterized by simplicity and geometric clarity. Barragán often favoured simple, bold geometric shapes, such as rectangles, squares, and circles, which he used to create clean, uncluttered spaces.
However, Barragán’s mastery of shape was not just about simplicity—it was about the relationship between the shapes and the movement through space. He used shapes to craft an experience that invited visitors to navigate the building in a way that revealed its many layers gradually.
Colour
Luis Barragán’s use of color was one of the most distinctive and celebrated aspects of his architectural style. He believed that color was a powerful tool not only for aesthetic expression but also for evoking emotional responses from those who experienced his spaces.
Barragán often painted walls in vivid hues of pink, yellow, blue, and red, drawing inspiration from traditional Mexican villages, colonial-era architecture, and the landscapes of his homeland.
Barragán harnessed natural light to interact with vivid colors, creating fluidity and transformation throughout the day. His colors constantly changed, responding to shifting light and casting different shadows and hues depending on the time of day.
It is said that Luis Barragán saw colour as a means to create connections—both with nature and with the human spirit. By thoughtfully applying colour in his designs, he was able to create spaces that not only engaged the senses but also touched the soul, making colour an integral part of his architectural philosophy.
Coloured Plaster with sunlight shining through
How Luis Barragán has influenced Mexican Architecture today
Barragán’s ability to merge modernist aesthetics with Mexican traditions has become a guiding principle for contemporary Mexican architects. He didn’t adhere strictly to the principles of European modernism, but rather adapted them to reflect the cultural, historical, and natural context of Mexico.
Architects today use light to define spaces, drawing on Barragán’s careful manipulation of shadows, natural light, and the way it interacts with colors to create different moods throughout the day. His use of bold color palettes, often inspired by Mexican culture, remains an integral part of contemporary design in Mexico. Buildings today, whether residential or public, frequently feature vibrant walls and colors that evoke warmth, serenity, or drama, much like Barragán’s iconic use of color in his own homes and public spaces.
Famous Architecture of Luis Barragán
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Casa Luis Barragán (1948)
Designed for a client in Mexico City in 1937, Casa Luis Barragán is a globally influential contemporary architectural masterpiece. It is one of the most visited sites in Mexico City by architects and art connoisseurs from around the world.
Casa Luis Barragan
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Cuadra San Cristóbal (1968)
Cuadra San Cristóbal, a private ranch near Mexico City, is famous for seamlessly blending with the surrounding landscape. The use of simple geometric forms, bright colours, and the interplay of light and shadow creates a peaceful atmosphere.
Cuadra San Cristóbal
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Casa Gilardi (1976)
One of his most iconic homes, Casa Gilardi, features vibrant colors, dramatic lighting, and a Jacaranda tree growing inside. The combination of indoor and outdoor spaces highlights Barragán’s mastery in blending architecture with nature.
Casa Gilardi
Sonya felt deeply inspired visiting Mexico in early 2025, exploring iconic spaces tied to Luis Barragán’s work, including Casa Estudio. Barragán’s use of color and space left a lasting impression, sparking creativity in the studio. This inspiration led to new rug designs honoring Barragán’s architectural legacy.
Sign up for our newsletter to hear about these designs launching in 2025. Meanwhile, explore 50+ colorful rugs by Sonya and collaborators.
Contemporary rugs which use colour and geometric shape similar to Luis Barragán:
The After Matisse Rug
The After Matisse area rug draws its inspiration from Henri Matisse’s iconic paper cutouts. Hand woven by artisan weavers, this bright and playful area rug has a special sculptural quality. Sonya created the After Matisse rug from a collage of overlapping squares of colours. The 25 100% wool colours replicate the effect of transparent colours mixing together.
The After Matisse Rug
The Santorini Sunset Rug
The Santorini Sunset rug was designed by Sonya and KLC School of Design graduate Cheryl Saunders. Inspired by Greek culture, its geometric shapes reflect Cycladic architecture. This luxury rug features rich, warm hues, capturing Santorini’s breathtaking sunsets.
The Santorini Sunset Rug
Explore our full collection of modern art rugs here.
