Architect, Mexico Luis Barragán was at the forefront of a generation of Mexican architects who followed a fascination with European functionalist design; they endeavored to reconcile modernism with the indigenous architecture of Mexico, in order to express a distinct sense of place. Barragán is best known for a small body of post-World War II buildings and landscapes that merge modern materials and minimalist cubic form, with discreet references to local culture, personal memory, figurative surrealist painting, and Mexican and Mediterranean vernacular forms. These works are marked by frequent use of brilliant saturated colors (pinks, blues, yellows, and reds are prevalent) and by a sophisticated handling of space, texture, siting, and natural light. His most significant projects involved speculative designs for residential subdivisions, and private houses for wealthy clients. Among the former are the seminal Jardines del Pedregal (1945–50), which he called his most important work; Las ...