The Jardines del Pedregal de San Ángel was a deserted area outside central Mexico City. The area is covered in dense lava from the Xitle volcano, which erupted thousands of years ago.
Luis Barragan saw the potential in the landscape, purchased some property, and in the 1940s created a plan for Pedregal. This included land for development and open space. Some of Mexico's great modern architects, Like Max Cetto, Francisco Artigas, Enrique Castañeda Tamborrell, José María Buendía, Antonio Attolini, Fernando Ponce Pino, Oscar Urrutia and Manuel Rosen constructed homes in Pedregal. This included the Casa Prieto-López (1949) by Luis Baragan.
The house belonged to the Prieto family until art collector and businessman César Cervantes purchased it four years ago. The house, now called Casa Pedregal, has been restored by Cervantes. Alterations have been removed and the original paint colors have been replicated.
Although much of the furniture in the house now was designed by Barragan, they aren't the same pieces that were originally in the house.
Source: ARRAGAN LA CASA PRIETO LOPEZ, by LAURENT BEAUDOUIN
This is what the living room looked like in 1951.
Source: ARRAGAN LA CASA PRIETO LOPEZ, by LAURENT BEAUDOUIN
Bertoia chairs are used around the table in the kitchen.
This wall is the color of the sky. That would be the sky color in the 1950s, which I was told is different than the sky today.
The original colors were extracted via cutouts in the walls.
These exist in multiple locations around the property. I like that they were left exposed.
This is one of the two main garden areas.
Lava flooring
Clara Porset
Barragan brought the natural lava landscape inside.
Casa Pedregal is not a museum. The Cervantes family lives in the house and the kids even put their feet on the coffee table.
I hope I don't get anyone in trouble for that.
The Lopez children, back in the day, playing in the pool.
The pool blends into the natural lava landscape and what is referred to as the "contemplative garden."
The Gerrit Rietveld Crate chairs are not original to the house, but they look great by the pool.
Source: Beaudouin-Architectes
There is a restaurant and cafe next to Casa Pedregal.
The restaurant includes a library with some great seating.