Pedro Ramírez Vázquez / Casa

Casa en Granizo, Jardines del Pedregal (1960). This is the home Pedro Ramírez Vázquez (1919-2013) designed for himself.

Born in Mexico City, Ramírez Vázquez received his architecture degree from UNAM in 1943. He is responsible for some of the country's most important modern architecture icons and also served as president of the organizing committee of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

The residence is located behind the Ramírez Vázquez architectural offices and archives. It is also next door to the Pedregal House by Luis Barragan. Initially we were chased away by a security guard when we asked if we could see the house. Fortunately we were able to get inside.

The central courtyard is a major feature of the home.

The structure was originally one story with an open roof.

Source: Una Vida Moderna

There is a lot of Frank Kyle furniture in the house.

More Kyle

Ramírez Vázquez designed the metal table. The marble table appears to be another piece by Frank Kyle.

A glimpse into the lower level of his massive library.

Here he is, in what looks like his library.

Source: Life MagazineRamírez Vázquez was politically connected and received many government commissions. In addition to many educational buildings, he was responsible for the Mexico pavilions at the World’s Fairs in Brussels (1958), Seattle (1962) and New York (1964) (above).

The National Museum of Anthropology (1964) is his most well known project. It's also pretty much required to take a photo in front of the fountain.

Speaking of, he has an identical column in his front yard.

An Aztec calendar from the museum as well.

And in the museum.

There is also a traffic signal he designed in the yard.

Museo de Arte Moderno (1964)

Estadio Azteca (1966) for the 1968 Olympics

I paid a visit in June. The graphics are long gone, but the Alexander Calder is still standing tall, as is the stadium.

There is some controversy around who should receive credit for the iconic 1968 Mexico graphics. I was under the impression that it was Lance Wyman, an American designer. However, it gets complicated. Ramírez Vázquez hired Wyman and said he has documentation proving that he created it and Wyman simply executed the idea.