He died at the age of 80 from liver cancer on December 30, 2011 in Mexico City. Legorreta's death followed shortly after he was awarded the Japanese Praemium Imperiale (2011), which became the last in a series of his awards. Prior to that, he received the gold medals of the ISA (1999) and the American Institute of Architects (2000).
In his work, Legorreta combined the principles of modernism and Mexican regionalism, continuing the tradition of Luis Barragán. Monolithic wall surfaces, patios and terraces painted in bright colors have gained popularity all over the world: the master has implemented projects in London, Japan, Qatar, Israel, not to mention the southern part of the United States.
Such a diverse geography made, in connection with Legorreta, discuss the fate of "local" architecture in the era of globalism: despite the close connection with the national Mexican line, his projects, due to their attractiveness, spread to countries that have nothing in common with Latin America.
However, the widespread demand for his works can be partially explained by their certain similarities with a completely international phenomenon - postmodernism. In addition to his penchant for bright colors, Legorreta rejected the unambiguity and clarity of classical modernism, calling for the preservation of "intrigue" in architecture.
Among his buildings are the Camino Real Hotel in Mexico City (1968), the cathedral in the capital of Nicaragua, Managua (1993), the Pershing Square ensemble in Los Angeles (1993), the Fashion and Textile Museum in London (2001), the University of Chicago dormitory (2001).
N. F.
