cover image The Architecture of Ricardo Legorreta

The Architecture of Ricardo Legorreta

Ricardo Legorreta Vilchis. University of Texas Press, $85 (171pp) ISBN 978-0-292-75106-4

The cool, assured International Style of Mexican architect Legoretta is warmed by his country's aesthetic vernacular--from the imposing scale of pre-Columbian structures to the elegance of colonial mansions to the insouciance of villages. Rugged texture, unusual angling, unexpected glints of color give his structures their evocative, emotional appeal. His range, from corporate headquarters to factories, hotels and residences, is portrayed in close to 200 well-chosen color photographs and an assortment of line drawings and black-and white photos. Separate chapters use Legoretta's own words to discuss the importance he gives to light, color, walls, courtyards, scale, water, humor and social conscience. He enlarges, for example, on the emphasis he gives to walls: as screens, ornaments, gateways, backgrounds for murals; to delineate spaces and separate functions, to insure privacy and provoke a sense of mystery. As outlined in this impressive book, Legoretta's fresh and painterly architecture is animated by his dictum: ``discover what purpose is to be served and serve it with heart.'' Attoe teaches architecture at Louisiana State University; Brisker is a Los Angeles architect. (Feb.)