Happy Lunar New Year! 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse, one in a 60-year cycle that symbolizes intensity, creativity, transformation, speed, risk-taking, and volatility. Naturally, I've been thinking about horses a lot lately. Well, maybe not a lot, but certainly more than usual. And I can't think about horses without thinking about my favorite architect and horse lover, Luis Barragán.
Barragán, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, is celebrated for his fusion of modernism with Mexican tradition, using bold planes of saturated color, water, light, and shadow to create spaces that feel as much spiritual as architectural. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve likely encountered his work scrolling Pinterest or through a friend’s photos of Mexico City. A number of his designs are open to visitors, and over the years I've toured Casa Barragán, Casa Pedregal, Casa Gilardi, and Casa Ortega, several of them more than once. (I wrote about my favorite architectural sites in my extensive CDMX guide). I find endless inspiration in Barragán’s spaces— not only in the structures, but also in the furniture and decor, much of which he designed himself to create fully integrated, harmonious spaces. I’ll do a deeper dive into my favorite elements at some point, but today, it's all about the horses.
Barragán’s love for horses was deep rooted. Born in 1902, he spent his childhood riding horses on the family-owned ranches of his native Jalisco. Later, he could often be found riding at the Club Hípico Francés outside Mexico City. It was there that he met Swedish businessman Folke Egerström. The two shared a passion for equestrian life, and the friendship would eventually lead to one of the most iconic pieces of architecture of the 20th century.
In 1966 (the last Fire Horse year!), Egerström commissioned Barragán to design Cuadra San Cristóbal, a private estate encompassing a house, horse stables, store house, and a pasture spanning nearly seven and a half acres.
The stables were designed with an almost tender attentiveness to the animals that inhabited them. Once home to 37 thoroughbreds, the stalls were built so the horses could see, smell, and communicate with one another. The focal point of the complex, a monumental courtyard fountain, was designed to be just deep enough to graze a horse’s belly. The basin is framed by Barragán’s signature colorblocked pink and rust walls, this time scaled to the height of a horse.
Barragán's relationship with horses wasn't confined to a single commission. At Casa Barragán, the personal home and studio where the architect spent much of his life, the equestrian influence is impossible to overlook, both in the sheer number of horse statues and portraits, and in subtle nods evident in furniture design and materials.
The horses, it seems, never really left him. When asked why he only built homes for the wealthy, Barragán replied “and for horses— but horses are neither rich nor poor. They’re just horses.”
So, in honor of the horses, and to kick off the year of the Fire Horse, a roundup (pun intended) of equestrian-themed items inspired by Barragán’s personal decor:
Horse watercolor 8.5”x11” print, $24
Primitive clay horse sculpture, $135
Vintage Mata Ortiz pot with horses by Antonio Ledezma, $259
Vintage cast aluminum ash tray, $45
Antique equestrian oil painting, $1100
Vintage oil painting 31”x31”, $276
Blue ceramic horse sculpture, $107
Grazing horse mixed media painting 16”x20”, $279
Native American sterling silver horse brooch, $95
xxLinds
Sources:
“Luis Barragán’s Equestrian Estate and Fountain Cuadra San Cristóbal in Mexico City,” DesignBoom
“Cuadra San Cristóbal”, Barragán Foundation
“Cuadra San Cristóbal: Barragán’s Striking Horse Ranch Home,” NotSoInnocentsAbroad
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GiddyUP
Loving that architectural sketch that includes a horse... I wonder how many other architects have included an animal in their preliminary drawings? Feel like this is something that should definitely be encouraged at architectural school...