Commemorating the career of Mexican architect Juan O'Gorman on the 117th anniversary of his birth

On this day 117 years ago, Juan O'Gorman—the first Mexican functionalist architect—was born, whose work marked a turning point in the architectural production of his era. He trained at what was then the National School of Architecture, where he completed and integrated his studies in architecture and engineering. Considered the father of modern architecture in Mexico, O'Gorman trained in the style of Le Corbusier and the stripped purism of Villagrán, eventually evolving toward the "New Mexican Baroque" movement. His works were characterized primarily by the use of reinforced concrete, asymmetric exteriors, and a constant search for air and light.

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Due to his significant contribution, Juan O'Gorman's work continues to be studied not only in architecture but also in art, as he was a pioneer in combining muralism with architectural construction. Today, thanks to the initiative of various organizations and professionals with a keen interest in understanding, reclaiming, and reinterpreting certain principles, it is possible to connect with his legacy in new ways. Therefore, we present a compilation of articles and works offering different perspectives to continue exploring the work of one of the most prominent architects of the Modern Movement in Mexico.

Contemporary Perspectives

Download the Free Coloring Book "Arquitectura para colorear" by Carmelina&Aurelio

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Carmelina&Aurelio. Image

Architects and Artists Pay Tribute to the Legacy of Mexican Architect Juan O'Gorman

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O’Gorman Commercial Booth / Santiago de la Puente. Image © Santiago de la Puente. Image

What Would Happen If the Works of Luis Barragán and Juan O'Gorman Came Into Direct Contact With the City?

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What would happen if the works of Luis Barragán and Juan O'Gorman came into direct contact with the city? / Erick Francisco Ruiz Vázquez. Image

Architecture or Revolution: Frida Kahlo's Houses and 90 Years of the Functionalist Movement

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Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo House. Via: Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 license. Image

AD Classics

Central Library / Juan O'Gorman

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Courtesy of Acervo Histórico Fundación ICA, Oblique Aerial Photography Archive, 1952.. Image

O'Gorman House / Juan O'Gorman

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© Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera. Image

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo House Studio Museum / Juan O'Gorman

This article was written by . The translation is powered by AI.

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Photo by Claudia Beatriz Aguilar, via Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0 license. Image

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Cite: Arellano, Mónica. "Commemorating the career of Mexican architect Juan O'Gorman on the 117th anniversary of his birth" [Conmemoramos la trayectoria del arquitecto mexicano Juan O'Gorman a 117 años de su natalicio] 07 Jul 2026. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1131891/commemorating-the-career-of-mexican-architect-juan-ogorman-on-the-117th-anniversary-of-his-birth> ISSN 0719-8884
From Some Ruins, Other Ruins Are Born / TAP – Taller de Arquitectura Púbica. Image © Santiago de la Puente. Image

在墨西哥建筑师胡安·奥戈曼诞辰117周年之际,纪念其建筑生涯

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