Colour, light and space. These are the elements of this house that make it exceptional, and unfortunately I don't think I have the ability to convey their qualities in writing.

The thing that really stayed with me was how Barragán used and manipulated "the places in between" the main rooms of the house. The most prominent was the reception room, having come through a low and dark corridor you arrive into a multi level space, with huge windows up high. The main purpose of these was to let in light and offer glimpses of nature outside, but they were positioned like the majority of the windows in the house to make seeing in very difficult. There are multiple art works that help channel light around the space, a large gold painting and the famous mirrored spheres reflecting the light and offering new perspectives. It was amazing how these clever tools enabled Barragán to use such a small amount of artificial light in the house. Barragán’s use of light and colour aimed to give an almost spiritual response to them, bypassing reason and appealing to a more intuitive reaction, and to my eye this was where the quality of the house really lay. Sadly this is something that really has to be seen on a visit, as it is a hard thing to describe (especially with my non-specialist descriptions).

Initially, I will admit, I was left with a feeling that it was nice, but I wasn't sure of why it was justified as being a world heritage site. Struggling like Solivagant below to see where its influence stretched beyond some impressive but niche aspects of contemporary art and architecture. However, there are plenty of other sites on the list that are there because they look nice but have had limited external influence (endless stream of Central European palaces I'm looking at you). If we accept that some world heritage sites are only of niche interest then this house is precisely the sort of site I would like to see on the list, so I have rather changed my mind on its inscription.

On reflection I really liked this house, Barragán may not be the defining architect of his generation but here he has created a wonderful modernist construction. His master stroke though is softening its impact through his use of light and colour. This means it isn't a museum piece or idol to be looked at and admired, rather it is a masterpiece that seems comfortable to actually inhabit, a rare feat and one worthy of applause and exploration.

[Site 7: Experience 7]

If anyone works out the book homage in this review, get in contact and I will buy you a beer :)