Art and architecture go hand in hand, and I've always been fascinated by both. On a recent trip to Mexico, where I witnessed the magic of Casa Etérea in the country's highlands, I also spent time in the capital, where I delighted in hunting out the best places to eat in Mexico City before heading to Casa Gilardi, the last project of architectural genius Luis Barragán. Unable to find any information about visiting, I turned up on the street and hung around outside until eventually someone let me in and gave me a cool little private tour of this incredible house.
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| The vibrant outside walls of Casa Gilardi. Photo: Lydia Swinscoe |
Coming out of retirement to work on Casa Gilardi, Barragán was commissioned by two guys who owned an advertising agency (I like to imagine they were Don Draper types) to design and oversee the project. Built around an old jacaranda tree, the place features an indoor swimming pool next to a huge dining area that's perfect for parties, a dream-like, yellow-tinged corridor, and a pretty roof terrace, all walls painted in wonderful bold blues, reds, and pinks.
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| The yellow tinged corridor. Photo: Lydia Swinscoe |
Throughout the day, as the sun moves across the sky, the light changes and dances around the place, creating a magical atmosphere. Barragán once said that he believed the ideal space must contain 'elements of magic, serenity, sorcery and mystery.'
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| The courtyard with the famed jacarada tree. Photo: Lydia Swinscoe |
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| Shadows in the afternoon light. Photo: Lydia Swinscoe |
The colours Barragán used were inspired by the artist Chucho Reyes Ferreira, and all were considered by the way the light or shadows would fall on them. I couldn't walk through the place without smiling. Casa Gilardi is faultless and the perfect last piece of work to end Barragán's legendary career.
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