Established in 1996, the Barragan Foundation is a non-profit institution based in Birsfelden, Switzerland. Its primary focus is the preservation and study of the Barragán Archive holdings and the collection of related photographs by Armando Salas Portugal.
After a first phase of activity dedicated to the assessment and organization of the archival holdings, the Barragan Foundation has undertaken a systematic critical survey of Luis Barragán’s built and unbuilt works. The results of this investigation will be presented in a comprehensive publication featuring a detailed analysis of each of his projects, complemented by a large selection of previously unpublished archival documents.
In the framework of a partnership between the Barragan Foundation and the Vitra Design Museum, the Barragán Archive joined the museum’s archival holdings in 2022. The new premises on the Vitra Campus include the Barragán Gallery, a permanent exhibition space, and a Study Room with a specialized library. This will further facilitate scholarly research and cooperation with other institutions, continuing the Barragan Foundation’s support of academic work as well as educational exhibitions and publications. A selection of the Barragan Foundation’s activities since 1996 is presented below.
Installation view of the presentation at the Barragán Gallery
© Vitra Design Museum
Photo Bettina Matthiesen © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023
Installation view of the presentation at the Barragán Gallery
© Vitra Design Museum
Photo Bettina Matthiesen © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023
Installation view of the presentation at the Barragán Gallery
© Vitra Design Museum
Photo Bettina Matthiesen © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023
Installation view of the presentation at the Barragán Gallery
© Vitra Design Museum
Photo Bettina Matthiesen © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023
© HEAD – Genève
Gallery Guest: HEAD – Genève / CENTRO Mexico City
Barragán Gallery / Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, 2023–2024
The workshop “Appropriate Barragán” led by photographer Bas Princen in summer 2022 brought together design students from HEAD – Genève and CENTRO Mexico City in a joint project to experience, analyse and interpret major architectural works by Luis Barragán through the medium of photography. Research for the trip commenced with a visit to the Barragán Archive. At the conclusion of the workshop, the students collectively created a unified presentation of their studies. This setting was replicated in the exhibit of the respective works in the Barragán Gallery.
Barragán Gallery
Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, 2022
A permanent exhibition of content from the Barragán Archive was installed on the Vitra Campus in 2022, following the relocation of the Archive to new premises managed by the Vitra Design Museum. The presentation includes extensive biographical information and cultural context related to Luis Barragán. The Gallery is freely accessible to the public and is complemented by storage facilities and a Study Room with a specialized library for scholarly research.
© Vitra Design Museum
Architecture of Color: The Legacy of Luis Barragán
Timothy Taylor 16 x 34 Gallery, New York, 2016
The Foundation provided curatorial consultation and loans of original archival materials for the 2016 inaugural exhibition at Timothy Taylor’s 16 x 34 Gallery in the Chelsea neighbourhood of Manhattan, New York City.
Photo Timothy Taylor Gallery
Luis Barragán y la arquitectura de la ciudad
Mextrópoli Festival, Mexico City, 2016
In March 2016, on the occasion of the annual international festival in Mexico City entitled “Mextrópoli, Festival Internacional de Arquitectura y Ciudad”, the Foundation’s director held a lecture on Barragán’s urban planning projects.
Latin America in Construction
Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2015
The Foundation lent original archival materials for display in the major exhibition Latin America in Construction at the New York Museum of Modern Art in 2015.
Photo MoMA
El Siglo de Giorgio de Chirico, Metafísica y Arquitectura
IVAM, Valencia, 2007/2008
For an exhibition on the artist Giorgio de Chirico at the IVAM in Valencia, Spain, the Foundation provided original archival materials to be displayed as part of the show.
Paysages intérieurs: dans les jardins de Ferdinand Bac et Luis Barragán
EPFL, Lausanne, 2004
In collaboration with the Archives de la construction moderne at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), the Foundation organized an exhibition on the connections between Barragán and Ferdinand Bac, whose work inspired the Mexican architect in the early stages of his career.
The Quiet Revolution
Monograph publication, 2001
Edited by Federica Zanco and the Barragan Foundation, this publication was launched on the occasion of the seminal exhibition developed by the Foundation in collaboration with the Vitra Design Museum. The monograph was published in English, German, Spanish and Japanese editions to accompany the travelling exhibition.
The Quiet Revolution
Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, 2000
In cooperation with the Vitra Design Museum, the Foundation organized a major monographic exhibition on the work of Barragán. From 2000 to 2003, the exhibition travelled to London, Vienna, Valencia, Tokyo and Mexico City. The exhibition presented the first significant results of the Foundation’s ongoing research, including a catalogue publication and a specially made film.
Luis Barragán, architect
Film, 2000
Directed by Guido De Bruyn, this film was produced in the context of the exhibition The Quiet Revolution, which was organized by the Foundation in collaboration with the Vitra Design Museum. The film was shown as part of the exhibition at museum venues in Weil am Rhein, London, Vienna, Valencia, Tokyo and Mexico City. Also broadcast by several television channels in various countries, it can now be viewed at the link below.
Other Activities
Monumental, Dimensión pública de la escultura, 1927–1979
MAM / Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City, 2020/2021
Reproductions of archival materials for exhibition
Found in Translation: Design in California and Mexico, 1915–1985
LACMA, Los Angeles, 2017/2018
Reproductions of archival materials for exhibition
Luis Barragán, intérprete de la modernidad de México
Mexican Pavilion, 14th International Architecture Exhibition, Biennale de Venezia, Venice, Italy, 24 October 2014
Università degli Studi Roma Tre, Rome, 27 October 2014
Participation in symposium
Desafío a la estabilidad, Procesos artísticos en México 1952-1967
MUAC, Mexico City, 2014
Reproductions of archival materials for exhibition
Torres de Satélite and the collaboration between Barragán and Mathias Goeritz
Instituto de Historia Ibérica y Latinoamericana (IHILA), University of Cologne Centre for Area Studies, Cologne, 27–28 August 2015
Participation in academic workshop
Louis Kahn
Vitra Design Museum, 2013
Loan of original archival materials for exhibition
Entrez Lentement
Salone del Mobile, Milan, 2005
Reproductions of archival materials for exhibition
Guía Barragán
Guidebook, 2002 (second edition 2011)
Published by Barragan Foundation / Arquine
Cruauté et utopie, villes et paysages d’Amérique latine
CIVA, Brussels, 2003
Loan of original archival materials for exhibition
Luis Barragán, Temas y Variaciones
Monograph publication, 2002
Photographs by Kim Zwarts, introduction by Carlos Fuentes, published by Barragan Foundation / Landucci Editores
Luis Barragán, Armando Salas Portugal
Photo exhibition with accompanying catalogue, 2000
In collaboration with the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen / ifa Stuttgart
Luis Barragán: A Research in Progress
Symposium, 1996
In collaboration with the Vitra Design Museum and gta / Institute for the History and Theory of Architecture, ETH Zurich