Conversations between Barragan y Connolly portada

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Published

December 15, 2025

Categories

Copyright (c) 2025 ITESO / Fundación de Arquitectura Tapatía Luis Barragán

Details about this monograph

ISBN-13 (15)

9786078910984

Physical Dimensions

16.5cm x 24.6cm x .8cm

Conversations between Luis Barragán and Cyril Connolly: Reading Dialogue in The Unquiet Grave

Authors

Sarah Alexandra Obregón Davis
Doctor
David Jiménez Casado

Keywords:

hermeneutics, Mexican architecture, literature, philosophy, personal library

Synopsis

The unique universe in Luis Barragán’s library centers on key books that build bridges, paths, and trailways along unusual routes. These parallel worlds were connected by Barragán so that future readers could peer through these reserved, veiled windows into his complex inner labyrinth.
The Unquiet Grave, by Cyril Connolly, belongs to that universe, and its presence did not go unnoticed. This book was added to Barragán’s personal library in the 1950s, at a time of great creative euphoria, iconic projects, and transformative personal introspection.
Luis Barragán, enthralled by hermeneutics, delves into the fabric of Connolly’s work, where Palinurus rudder unfailingly steers the ship toward a predestined final point on this restless journey. The architect opens the doors of this book to us in a reserved and discreet way, intentionally guiding us through his passions, desires, loves, and aspirations. With his reading and detailed notes at the end, he offers us a space for reflection, discussion, and provocation.
It should be noted that this copy contains not only Barragán’s notes, but also those of his closest friends, companions on this unquiet journey, who shared his intellectual understanding and codes. Dr. Sarah Obregón’s brilliant essay allows us to examine the notes made on Connolly’s text carefully—in pencil or red, blue, and green
ink—and invites the reader to draw their own conclusions. This route differs from those described by previous readers and travelers, as Dr. Obregón is one of the few scholars who has dared to explore the passions, desires, and confessions of Barragán and Connolly. This undoubtedly makes us, as readers and travelers, accomplices in this essay.

 

Guillermo Eguiarte Bendimez and Armando Chávez Cervantes
FATLB Editorial Board

Chapters

  • First pages
  • Contents
  • The Unquiet Journey
  • Introduction
  • 1. The Library of the Luis Barragán House and Studio
  • 2. The Unquiet Grave by Cyril Connolly
  • 3. Literature in the Architect’s Education
  • 4. Aphorisms as a Literary Expression. Architecture Expressed as an Aphorism
  • Conclusions
  • Sources Consulted

Author Biographies

Sarah Alexandra Obregón Davis, Doctor

Architect from ITESO, Master of Science in Urban Planning and Development, Universidad de Guadalajara, and Doctor of Architecture, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain. She has been a professor at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as a thesis advisor at ITESO. She is a member of the Guadalajara Chapter of the Academia Nacional de Arquitectura and the Fundación de Arquitectura Tapatía Luis Barragán.

David Jiménez Casado

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Universidad Complutense de Madrid. For more than 30 years, he has worked steadily on personal projects in the field of photography.