Emotional architecture and it´s influence on habitability. The Casa Jardin Ortega by Luis Barragan

Abstract

This document describes the Casa Jardin Ortega, architect Luis Barragan’s opera magna located in Mexico City, in respect of its habitability. Barragan’s work was instrumental for defining the concept of “emotional architecture” and its influence on habitability. The study was restricted to the areas of knowledge of architecture and environmental psychology. Following the specifics of this research work, a qualitative methodology was used; a semi-structured interview was chosen as an instrument to collect the testimonies of the inhabitants. Casa Jardin was a laboratory where the architect experimented with the tex-tures, paths, colors, materials, scales, furniture, indirect light, etcetera. The interviews evidenced ambivalent positions about the habitability; on one hand, a professional on the matter was interviewed, who is able to admire both the work and the elements and spaces that make it up; on the other, two women from outside the subject were also interviewed, who affirmed that the house is impractical, since certain spaces are not related, there are many unevennesses and the first floor has humidity accompanied by gloominess. Consequently, they would prefer to live in an apartment. With these testimonies, it can be debated whether this type of housing can offer function, comfort or adapt to different types of users with characteristics and necessities other than those which correspond to its author.