Casa Mexicana

I am a Mexican woman studying in the USA. I read a commentary above saying that these are European houses, they are not. We were conquered by the Spaniards centuries ago and thus the architectural style blended creating a "Mexican Style". This so called Mexican style includes european traces with Indian influences. This book represents Mexican houses that complies with this style. Obviously you can find native houses following Indian design, but for sure not in any Mexican metropoli.

This book is beautifully photographed, and offers a comprehensive look at Mexican interiors, architecture, and style. The chapters are laid out in chronological order, beginning with primitive architecture and continuing through to modern/contemporary design. Commentary throughout gives historical and social perspectives on the timeline of Mexican design.

Tim took a wide and diverse subject and wove it into a wonderful reference book. Primarily a photo album, accompanied with words, this book is A++. How could you take a bunch of pigeon cages, paint them different colors, and make a wonderful wall in your home? Or a group of Oriental fans? In reading this book, I sit and wonder how many thousand photos had to be discarded to pull all of this together. Thanks to this book, my wife has decided to redo our ENTIRE house. You have to SEE the photos; words fail to describe it. This may end up being the Most Expensive book I ever purchased.

Casa Mexicana offers stunning photographic portrayals of various periods in the architecture of Mexico, from haciendas to colonial and contemporary architecture. If you enjoy the intermixing of modern and traditional architecture, you'll love this book. And should you become entranced by contemporary Mexican architecture as presented by Mr. Street-Porter, an equally satisfying "sequel" to this book is Mexican Contemporary by Herbert Ypma.