pert. betes ests tee 23 SHH CEE EOE TTESEEEEEE Tg etree ELE TE yoo SEL veg eg gee ee ESTEE HSi¥ sive hdd raat cont eee: Runners BaF ASSESS SESTEISESES Pstetees Sis Seaeeas = fH 3325 = AN ARCHITECTURAL PILGRIMAGE IN OLD MEXICO a] Ate Hi HT Being baatine! STREET SCENE, ZACATECAS AN ARCHITECTURAL PILGRIMAGE IN OLD MEXICO BY ALFRED C. BOSSOM NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS MCMXXIV COPYRIGHT, 1924, BY ALFRED C. BOSSOM THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TiO MY WIRE WHO ACCOMPANIED ME ON MY TRAVELS IN MEXICO AND HELD THE CAMERA IN MANY INSTANCES ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My reason for writing this is the desire to particularly thank Miss Jacqueline Overton for her most painstaking co-operation in the arrangement of the photographs, etc., in this book. And also, to thank Mr. Harold A. Parker and Mr. H. A. ‘Taylor, and Mr. C. B. Waite of Mexico City, who enabled me to get a number of the photographs. FOREWORD LL that an age signifies is written on the open book of its architecture. The architect is, at best, the conscious recorder of the culture of a race; the thrall of his times. Chief builder he may be, but even though he direct a thousand pairs of skillful hands, he is but the interpreter of the progress and aspirations of his fellowmen. A nation without buildings can leave no vivid transcript of the ideals and temperament of its people. If one would know the genius of the New World which Columbus gave to Castile and Leon, one must seek those archi- tectural fabrics most typical of the spirit of all the Americas. Where shall the pilgrim go on such a quest? This is the query which often came to me, a New York Architect of English birth and training, and for years remained unanswered. Surely the soul of America is not truly to be found in its Colonial architecture, which is modified Georgian, in turn founded on Greek and Roman models, through the Italian Renaissance. The search of the United States only called for further study. The aborigines who dwelt within its borders left no architectural remains. They were dwellers in tents of skin, builders of lodges made from poles and boughs. Their materials were temporary, their structural art that of nom- ads. Even the cliff dwellings of the colorful Southwest are unrelated clusters of dwellings, which owed whatever form they had to con- ditions which do not carry on. Mounds and tombs and shell heaps abound. Yet what they hold is material only for the archaeologist. The architect who would know what America was and is finds in such memorials only ghosts and wraiths. Therefore, the writer, 1x FOREWORD directed by the logic of facts, wandered across the Rio Grande, into that storied land where Montezuma gloried. Mexico! Not to visit Mexico is not to know the Western Hemi- sphere. Not to have viewed the monuments of its romantic past is not to sense the inner meaning of American traditions, nor to fully grasp the development of the American people. The traveler who comes to the New World from the mother lands across the seas fails of his mission of u nderstanding if he does not enter this wonder realm where the sun of Hispanic traditions first dawned on the culture horizon of New Spain! To the people of the United States, Mexico is logically a far greater source of influence than has yet been realized or will be until more journeys are made to its ancient fanes. The Ameri- can architect and the American artist may find much there to kindle their imaginations and inspire their efforts, and the layman also can discover much indeed by making Mexico an inspirational and ar- tistic Mecca. The art of Aztec and Toltec blended by the free audacious spirit of those old time cultured world wanderers with the ideals of Madrid and Seville, and made sentient by new requirements, still lives in many a stately pilein the republic below the Rio Grande. A reflection of that mighty influence which camewith the Spanish conquistadores may be seen, I grant, in the Missions of California and at points in the Southwest, but the true image of the American spirit is revealed best in the country from which Coronado, adventuring, came. If this account, then, of a pilgrimage to shrines of Mexican arch- itecture shall be the means of inducing others to take up their stafts and go, I shall feel that I have done something, however little, in strengthening the affinities of culture and tradition which unite the Anglo-Saxons and the Latins in a better understanding. xX PLATES Srreet SCE FACADES, WALLS, EC. Cuurcu or Er Sarto pet Acua, Mexico Ciry ScHoot Buitt ror THE OrpHANS or ImpoveRISHED Nosie Famt.ies Aw Intrerestinc Nore AGainst THE SKYLINE CatLe EscALERILLas THe Watt Treatment Here Makes a Cornice UNNECESSARY DericateE BaLtconiges AND GRaceruL WarTerspouts ARE AN Easy MetruHop or Appinc CuHarm To THE PLatnest BuiLpIncs A House 1n THE City or Mexico—PAneELLinc In Stucco Is nor Un- KNOWN TO THE Mexicans Tue Revier or Prain Watt Surraces Is DELIGHTFULLY ACHIEVED BY THE Use or NicHes or Watt PANELS Sorr Wuire Stone Forms tHE NICHE A House in Mexico Ciry—A Crestinc TREATMENT Stucco SurraceE AND Mope.iinc Provipes CHARM FOR THE SIMPLEST ComPoSsITION CatLe Reoina, Mexico Crry Dignity ACHIEVED wirH LirrLe Heicur Las ViIzcaINnAas Our Srreet Corners Coutp Be Improvep By GREATER INTEREST IN THE ANGLES OF Our BUILDINGS A Srucco Facape tn Low Reuter, Mexico Ciry A De icurrut Cornice on A House on THE AVENIDA Bo tvar, Mex- 1co CirTy THE Corner or A Buriprnc, Mexico Crry, now Usep ror a Srore xi E, ZACATECAS Frontispiece, 1 II TT VILL XII XIV XIV XV PLATES Jockey Crus, Mexico Ciry Nationat Liprary, Mexico Ciry Hore Irursipe, Crry or Mexico Feperat Parace, Acuas Catientes, Mexico Wuere Porrares Facet tHE ALAMEDA Srores Unper an Arcapde, Mexico Crry A Two-StoriepD Doorway Witt FrequentLy Give DicNniry TO THE SmmpLest FacaDE CuurcH at Guanayuato, Mexico Fryinc Burrress—Santa Rosa, QueRETARO, Mexico Buitpine 1n TEpozoTLAn Srarrway Up roe Hitt in Guadalupe A Cuurcw Watt SHRINE, CHURUBUSCO A Watt Tasiet, Mexico Ciry On THE Roap To San Juan, TEOTIHUACAN An ELasoraTELy Carved AQuepucr FounTAIN NEAR CHAPULTEPEC THERE Is 4 SUGGESTION FOR A GARDEN WALL In Tus Curtous_y Bui_r O_tp Wa tt ArouND THE CHURCH oF TacUBA Watt or THE CHurRcH or SAN Francisco, MonTERREY Ex CuHorro, San Micue, DE ALLENDE, Mexico THE CAMPANILE OF San GaprteLt Mission, Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA COURTYARDS CouRTYARD OF THE ConvENT AT CHURUBUSCO WELL IN THE Court or AN AncIENT Convent In Mexico Patio GarpDEN, Santa BarsBara Misston, CALIFORNIA Patio DEL ConvENTO Otp BisHop’s Patace, MonreRREY A Farm Patio, A Farm-Yarp with Rea. InpivipuaLiry Xil XVI XVII XVIII XIX XXI XXII XXIII XXIV XXIV XXV XXV XXV XXVI XXVII XXVII XXVIII XXIX XXX XXXI XXXII XXXII XXXIII XXXIII PLATES Patio, CoLEGIo DE LAs VIZCAINAS XXXIV Courryarp or THE Hore. IrurBIDE XXXIV Santa BArpara Mission, CALiIrornia WOR GATEWAYS An ARCHED STREET IN AMECAMECA XXXVI ENTRANCE TO THE SEPULCRO, Sacro Monte, AMECAMECA YOORVA Op Gateway, Orizapa, Mexico XXXVII Picruresque Lopcincs ror Man anv Beast, Mexico Ciry XXXVII IxriactnuaTL rrom PLaza, AMECAMECA XXXVIII Gareway witH A DouspLe ArcH, CovoacAn XXXVIII ENTRANCE TO THE Grounps oF San Luis, Rey pe Francia, SAn Dreco, CALIFORNIA XXXIX CORNICES, GARGOYLES, ETC. EnricH THE ANGLES AND THE Watis WiLL Take Care oF THEM- SELVES xa A Ricu Corner, Mexico Crry XLI Ex Parque pet Conpe, Mexico Ciry XLI A GarcoyLe Derrity Emptoyvep Witt Give ReLier To THE FLATTEsT FACADE XLII A Parapet with A GarcoyLeE Makes THE CONVENTIONAL CORNICE UNNECESSARY XLIT Otp Mexico Dip nor Use Terra Corra Bur iF Ir Hap THE Facroriges Woutp Cerrainty Have WorkeED OVERTIME XLII Inpivipuatiry May Be Devetopep in Any Buitpine ir Att Its En- RICHMENT Has Some Derinire Mraninc XLIV TOWERS Friyrne Satis, GUADALUPE XLV CuurcHyarp, TzintzuntzAn, Mexico XLVI CHURCH IN QUERETARO XLVII Tue Paracro FEDERAL, QuERETARO, Mexico XLVII Xill Reais: San Josz, San Antonto, TExas Sanro Dominco CxHurc#, Crry or Mexico BeLrry or THE CHurcH oF SAN FELIPE, GUADALAJARA BeLrry AND CLock Towers orf THE CATHEDRAL OF Moreria, Mexico Santo Domtnco, Porrat anp CHurcu, Mexico Ciry PORCHES Porcu and Fountratn or Sacro Monte, AMECAMECA View in Jatapa, VERA Cruz Corripors oF SAN Juan Bautista Misston, CALIFORNIA Corripors oF Mexicatcinco, Mexico Crry San FERNANDO Mrssion Srreet ty Aguas Cartentes, Mexico A Srreet in Et Oro, Mexico Corripor at San Juan Capistrano Mrsston, CALIFORNIA A Mexican Hacitenpa Corrrpor CorRIpOR IN THE Franciscan Monastery, TEPozOTLAN ConveNTO DEL Carmen, CoyoacAn Srreet Marker tn Puesia, Mexico Rare ArcHirecturE tN PueBia, Mexico Corripor oF A House ar Mirra Cortez House, Covoacan, Mexico DOORS How a Few Bic Naitrs Lenp Dienrry to a Door Opentna GarpeEn Doorway or THE Mission or San BUENAVENTURA Door or THE CHURCH or SAN Francisco, San AnTONIO A Srupy 1n Contrasts San José, San Antonio, TEXAS XLVIII XLIX LXI LXII LXNII LXIII LXIV PLATES Tue SETTLEMENT or THE Buitpinc Has Hippen THE Borrom or THE Door BELow THE GRADE Ir tHE Door Is Nor Larce EnoucH ror THE Composition App More SurrounDING FEATURES Door or San José, San Antonio, TExas Wroucut-Iron Batconies to Hotp Frower Pors Bronze WuHeet Guarp, Mexico Ciry Doorway AnD Batcony witH InrricaTe Carvincs Enrrance to tHE Hore: Irursrpe, Mexico Ciry Dirrerent Types or Narts CuHance THE CHaracrer or A Door as Muc# as Dirrerent Types or Moipines Can Cuance A Cornice Stucco Doorway anp NicHe at San GaprieL Mission, CALrrorntiA A Srwpte Doorway, Mexico Criry THe Cemetery Door, Santa BARBARA Entrance To THE Mission, San Antonio, TEXAS Ext Carmen San Lurs Porost, Mexico Crry First Surine, Mexico Ciry SmpLe Forms Disposep wirnh Care Make Tuts Buryp Gasie Live wiTH INTEREST Iron Work Imirarep 1n Stone Has an Unnaturat CHARACTER O.p Doorway or San Luis Rey Misston, Catirornia Doorway oF THE Former BisHop’s PALACE Front or THE CaTHEDRAL, Mexico Crry THe Atamo Was ImmorratizeD By THE Men Wuo Foucur on THE Hattowep GRrounps SuccessruLt Compositions Can Be Mabe sy Convrrastinc LINES or ConTrAstiInG TREATMENTS OF SURFACES WiTtH Equa Success CuurcH or THE Brack Cureist, VERA Cruz O.pest CxurcH ty Mexico (TLaxcara) XV LXV LXVI LXVII LXVII LXVIII LNVIII LXXI LXXI LXXII LXXIII LXXIII LXXIV LXXIV LXXV LXXV LXXVI LXXVII LXXVIII LXXIX LXXIX IPI AN IE 1818) IcLesta DEL Carmen, San Luts Porosi Santa Monica, GuaDALAJARA WINDOWS CoLEecio DE LAs Vizcatnas, Mexico Ciry Tue SHapes ARCHITECTURAL Forms May Take Are WirHout NuMBER Tue Spantarps Coutp Mix Many Mareriats with FREEDOM AND Harmony Tue Freest Carvinc tr Dominated By A DerinirE STRUCTURAL Form AuromaTicaLLty Fautis Back 1nTo irs PRopER PLACE SHouLD THE InreERIOR Make Ir DesiraBte to Have Windows oF Dirrerent Heicuts Sipe sy Sipe, THE Mexican FRANKLY Ar- RANGED Ir So Ir tHe Joints oF THE STONEWORK Dip nor Suir, New Lines WERE Cur ro OsrTain THE DESIRED SENSE OF SCALE Tue Mexican Was no More Bounp ro TRADITION THAN THE AMER- ican Is Topay Wuen THE Mexican Decipep THAT He WrsHep A Certain Form oF Ornament In A Cerratn Pract, He Bent His ArcHITECTURAL Lines ro AccommopateE Ir Main Entrance AND INDEPENDENCE Bett, Nationa PALace, Mexico Ciry Jusr a Praty Doorway, Batcony, anp Winpow—rTHE SHADows Do THE REsT Tue Mexican Gave His Winpows ARCHITRAVES OR OMITTED THEM Accorpine to His Desire Ir You Ornament One Main Feature Surricientty You NEED not OrnaMENT ELSEWHERE Sun Diat anp Parapet SHowiInG A TREATMENT CoMPOSED OF CURVED Apose Biocks—Coutp Be Burtt or Cray ANYWHERE IrrecuLarity Becets INTEREST Xvl LXXX LXXX LXXXI LXXXII LXXXIII LXXXIV LXXXV LXXXV LXXXVI LXXXVII LXXXVII LXXXVII LXXXIX XCI XCII PAAN AES Narrow Srreets, Guanajuato Casa DE Atvarapo, Coyoacdn A Srconp-Story Iron Batcony Can Have Its Flowers AND YET not Derracr rRoM THE AVAILABLE SPACE Batcony on THE Roor or THE JocKEY Crus, Mexico Crry STREET Corner, CUERNAVACA Batconies Here Suppty Prorecrion pur Do nor INTRUDE Upon THE ARCHITECTURAL LINE Currous Carvines on THE Patacto FEDERAL, QuERE 9, Mexico STAIRWAYS Patio or A Mexican House wire Irs Srucco Srarrcase Invitine to THE Upper GALLERIES Ei Catvario, TenuacAn, Puesira, Mexico, wira Irs Wipor Low STAIRWAY STAIRWAY IN A STRE IN Guanajuato, Mexico SuBipa AL SAnruaRio, VILLA DE GUADALUPE San Gapriet Mission, Pasapena, CaLirornia Wirth tHE Great Importance oF Storgs on THE StREET LEVEL OF Horets anp Bank Buripines, Suc an Entrance Has a PECULIAR INTEREST INTERIORS, DETAILS, ETC. A Very Unusuat Form or OrnAMENT Woopen Panet Carvep in Low Retrer, Door or THe ConvENT OF CuaunTitLan, A. D. 1538 Larce Doors, Mexico Ciry Ruins or THE Convent or San Francisco, ZACATECAS Tue Morir Is Here or Many Turncs Tuatr Coutp Be Mapp U: in A Hore. Batt-Room 5 (OL Titep Wainscotine XvVil XCII SCI XCIV XCIV XCV XCVI XCVII XCVIII XCIX CI CII CIIt CIII CIIl CIV \ | \ i PLATES Jockey Crus, Mexico Crry—Founrtain anp Batconiges or an In- TERIOR COURTYARD Hore. Dinicencras, Puesia (La Cocitna—rHe KircHen) Inrerior oF Livinc Room, Estrupitto House Kircuen or Esrupitto House, San Dieco Tue Cotorep CerLinc AGAINST THE PLain Watt Is 4 Most Success- ruL DEPARTURE FROM THE OL_p CoLorep Watts with WHITE CEILINGS Intrertors or Ox_p Mrsstons, CALIFORNIA XVill CVII CVIII CVIII CVIIT CIX Cx AN ARCHITECTURAL PILGRIMAGE IN OLD MEXICO AINTERS make portraits of individuals, but architects construct the portraits of whole nations. Precedent of course is useful, but not vital, and tradition in the home of the skyscraper is in the making, and in practically all forms of art the American is an eclectic. In this we have very much in common with the Spaniards who originally settled in Mexico. They were adventurers, crossing the great ocean in little boats, literally taking their lives and fortunes in their hands, willing to brave unknown perils if only they might reach the new country and make for themselves a place therein. That same spirit is latent in every inhabitant of the United States. The first members of each family to come to America certainly were adventurers, for with the exception of a few personal belongings and their own indomitable spirit, they left everything behind them when they came to this land, with a fixed determina- tion to succeed. Hence life as lived here is subject to more thrills perhaps than anywhere else in the world, but between these thrills come periods of unexciting, strenuous, essential work. The Spaniards with all their ideas of beauty inherited from tra- dition-bound Spain found upon their arrival a complete architec- ture with craftsmanship of a very high standard flourishing in Mexico. Terascon primitive work, Tepan, Toltec and Aztec, each in its turn, had reached an interesting state of development in Old Mexico; for these people had learned to handle metals, precious and semi-precious stones, rocks, burnt and dried earths, lumber, etc., and constructed from them objects of unique beauty. 3 i | | i i | AN ARCH TECH URAL PILGRIMAGE Within recent years, while excavating at Azcapotzalco the writer came upon many curious little statuettes, so droll in their concep- tion that it is impossible not to believe that the old Mexicans, also, must have had a well developed sense of humor which helped to carry them over hard places. The Spaniards destroyed all they came across with ruthless TOLTEC SPECIMENS EXCAVATED AT AZCAPOTZALCO THE FREEDOM THAT INSPIRED THE MAKERS OF THESE FIGURINES SEEMS ALSO TO HAVE INSPIRED THE SPANIARDS LATER hands, but they could not remain unaffected by the existing work they found, and the influence of the early Mexican art is easily seen in the Spaniards’ first efforts in construction on a new soil. Due to the climate and the limited amount of skilled labor, and the materials available, it was natural that structures should have plain surfaces full of irregularities due to having been built by hand. But it was characteristic of the Spaniard that he embellished pro- fusely with both carving and color whenever an excuse offered. 4 IN OLD MEXICO In spite of the destruction that Mexico has experienced during the last century, there still exists every few miles a church or historic building frequently surrounded with nothing but a few Indian huts. MISSION OF SAN JOSE DE AGUAYO, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS ARCHES HERE WERE USED IN PLACE OF BEAMS AND FORMED A PERMANENT AND RELIABLE BACKGROUND FOR ALL FORMS OF EMBELLISHMENT Here we find the main building composed of intensely interesting hand moulded surfaces, often with the richest of windows or doors, cornices, and quoins, towers or parapets, and it is not uncommon to find these latter constructed of an entirely different material from the remainder of the building. In outlying districts, and even in big cities, adobe blocks covered with stucco form the main struc- ture. The ornamental portions were made of a soft stone called 5 ! 1 | | AUN) AIRC IBLIEIP TG TP WP ROANIL, JP IIL CGR IUIMT ANG Tepetate, a porous stone that hardens with the atmosphere and be- comes almost a solid piece, and which was set slightly in advance of the general wall surface. Colonnettes, capitals, mouldings, and domes in most unusual color effects abound everywhere, and the result was obtained partly by pigments and partly by tiles, as bizarre and unexpected as any- thing that has come out of Russia, Austria, or France. With the re- sult that such richness of effect exists nowhere else on the North American Continent and age has only added to its charm. The outstanding features of this fascinating period of architecture evolved by these ancient Spaniards are the open arcades (porches we call them) and the large unbroken surfaces which form the mass of the wall between the elaborate and often most artistic surrounds to the doors and windows. No matter how unusual or elaborate this enrichment might become, however, it always had a foil in the unbroken wall surfaces which provided the essential contrast. Panelled doors of unique character (the latter without finish as we understand varnish or paint), delicate metal balconies, iron and wooden grilles, helped to make up a style of architecture so free, so largely suited to our temperament and needs, that it would seem as if the “American point of view” had found its expression in archi- tecture on this continent centuries ago, in this group of educated Spaniards who desired to design in beauty and construct in truth. The reason that the buildings below the Rio Grande, though built by one of the Latin races centuries ago, seem so aptly to fit our American needs is not hard to understand. The climate of the higher portions of Mexico is very similar to that of the United States, sunlight and fresh air are in abundance and large windows, open porches and wide-spreading rooms are essential. In turn these express the temperament of the American 6 IN OLD MEXICO people with its heartiness and warmth, freedom and, one might add, sense of humor and unconventionality, better than any cold, dig- nified classical building ever could. The American country home, perhaps the most thoroughly ap- pointed of any in the world, has been largely adopted from styles of architecture primarily unsuited to this climate, and to the mode of living of its occupants. The ideal house should be a portrait of the life lived within its four walls. Colonial houses, charming to a de- gree, invariably possess a satisfying regularity, but this sometimes leads to an austerity of feeling and difficulties in the internal arrange- ments. Windows often do not fit into the most desirable places in the rooms. The ceilings frequently are low, making the rooms far warmer than it is desirable to have them, and though such difficul- ties may be largely overcome when handled by a trained designer, the style does present limitations. Our ancestors in England with their exquisite Tudor houses had no need for a practical porch or a big window that allowed the free circulation of air so vitally important on an August day. Their need and the exclu- was to overcome the difficulties of a damp climate sion of the rain and the weather was far more important than to provide access for the breezes and the sunlight. Speaking architecturally Italian regularity and French whimsi- cality are both ideal in their particular sphere, but when adapted to the American home they can be deficient in many respects, due to having been the outgrowth of entirely different controlling con- ditions. But the buildings in Mexico, with the slightest adaptation to fit them for twentieth centu ry requirements, do comply with American needs in a manner rarely equalled by any other style of architecture. Freedom is apparent in their construction. Rules with the old / AN ARCHITECTURAL PILGRIMAGE Spaniard were made only for the use of those who could not dare for themselves without exterior guidance, so they paid little heed to them but bent their knowledge of these to their own advantage. If the spacing between the columns on the arcade or the precise regu- larity of the windows upon the facade did not produce a desirable treatment on the interior arrangement of the building, the columns or windows were frankly moved, usually by a master hand, and the result was an interesting composition. Hard regularity was sup- planted by charming irregularity in most instances. Again, should the main entrance not logically develop in the center of the building, it wasn’t put there. The interior of the struc- ture was seldom arbitrarily distorted to enable some theoretical architectural principle to be maintained. The great American hotel with its multitudes of windows, its airy foyers and ball-rooms, pent-houses, towers and roof-gardens, seems instinctively to demand the use of a type of architecture as elastic in treatment as that found in Mexico. The towering office building with its dominating vertical lines, and nothing to relieve its great surfaces, except the piercing of innumerable holes to form windows, can be designed after Mexican ideas with a success not easily ob- tained in forms that must maintain fixed characteristics with a rigid regularity. This would apply especially in the adaptions necessary to buildings constructed under new zoning laws, which regulate the projection of cornices, height, water tables, size of dormers, etc. American architecture undoubtedly will take its place in the worlduponitscommercial buildings,and the design of these is rapidly taking the path that the materials composing them require. Forms defined by the use of steel or concrete faced with some readily han- dled materials, which can be tied on to this frame, such as thin slabs 8 IN OLD MEXICO of stone, brick, stucco, or terra cotta, are creating the dominant fea- tures of skyscraper architecture. The introduction of color by the use of burnt clays, terra cotta or faiences, all of which are capable of reproduction at compara- tively small cost, is fast forming an ornamental feature of the greatest buildings of the country, and it was in instinct the same theory that controlled the work in Mexico years ago. America is a commercial nation with very strong artistic tenden- cies, but commercial buildings have to be commercial; competition has made them so. A building is a financial undertaking, and beauty, though essential, is subservient within reason to the production of revenue in money or happiness. An investor will not put additional capital into a structure merely for the sake of maintaining some architectural lines, unless he really sees a definite return from so doing. A building must be constructed of the best possible material to withstand wear and tear, but it must also be designed in a manner that will bring in a revenue commen- surate with the amount of investment, and this is obtained not only through the artistic merit of the building, but also through its desir- ability and the facilities it offers. We are in an age of change and the possibilities of altering or adding to the existing building should be considered, primarily, in almost any design today. Few buildings laid out on the purest class- ical lines will allow such additions without having the appearance of the proverbial sore thumb. Mexican architectural irregularities add a charm, and the style actually provides most readily the vehicle for possible alterations. Ifthe relations between the governments had not been estranged the buildings of that land of architectural charm in the south would already have been the prototype of a most popular style of architec- 9 i AN ARCHITECTURAL PILGRIMAGE ture here. Southern California has already taken hold of it and with- in the next few years, as the intercourse between the two countries increases, the abounding advantages of Mexican work to fill Ameri- can requirements will unquestionably compelits consideration more and more in almost every type of building. EL OBISPADO, MONTERREY, MEXICO N [x a < 4 Plate II MEXICO CITY L SALTO DEL AGUA, E Chil RCH Om: ALWAYS Is BEAUTIFUL OFTEN NOT WHILE THE UNEXPECTED ORNAMENT REFRESHING FREQUENTLY AND QUITE RESTING INTE SCHOOL BUILT ARCHITECTURAL AN OPENING FOR THE ORPHANS OF IMPOVERISHED NOBLE ADVANTAGE CAN BE TAKEN OF THE SURROUND TO GIVE STRENGTH TO AN ENTIRE GROUPING Plate IIT FAMILIES TO) Plate IV AN INTERESTING NOTE AGAINST THE SKYLINE—A SCALLOPED PARAPET dasn AINO ASUNOS ONIAYLS GNV GALVNIWITA INAUNWLVAUYL GHAIYVA V ONIMOHS SAOINUOO AHL “STTVM GNV saavov SVITINATVOSS AD1TVO eS A PIL AUVSSTOANNA AOINUOO V SAAVW AYAH LNAWLVAUAL TIVM AHL IA #°[cL SONIGTING LSANIVId AHL OL WAVHO ONICGV 10 GOHLIW ASVAI NV JUV SLAOdSUALVM TOAAATOVUS GNV SAINOOTVA ALVOITIAG ILA #°[cq Plate VITT MEXICO OF aviatia, (irae IN A HOUSE MEXICANS Abs; TO UNKNOWN PANELLING IN STUCCO IS NOT late IX ait AfeN ea fy} AO web 1 SOFT WHITE STONE FORMS THE NICHE SI THE RELIEF OF PLAIN WALL SURFACES DELIGHTRULLY ACHIEVED BY THE USE ID TS SED IN THE RED BURNT CLAy DEAT OF NICHES OR WALL PANELS FORMS THE GENERAL WALL SURFACE Plate X A HOUSE IN MEXICO CITY A CRESTING TREATMENT THAT COULD EASILY BE DEVELOPED IN TERRACOTTA ae a eae STUCCO SURFACE AND MODELLING PROVIDES CHARM FOR THE SIMPLEST COMPOSITION WUVHO LNIVAG AO TTNA AUV INAWANAL SIHL 10 STIVLAG GNV STTIVM AHL ALIO OOIXIW “VNIOTUU ATTVO ere Ne re eS IX 4° ATL Plate DIGNITYAACHIE VED With Litt Lb HeiGn tT LAS VIZCAINAS MATERIALS EMPHASIZE THE LINES OF THE COMPOSITION HERE TWO COLORED GHL NI LSHAALNI WALVAAO AC GCAAOUdUWI AA GTINOD SYAYNUOO LAAALS Uno ITIX #?][L Plate XIV MEXICO CITY RELIEF, IN LOW A STUCCO FACADE MEXICO CITY A HOUSE ON THE AVENIDA BOLIVAR, ON E A DELIGHTFUL CORNIC Plate XV a A STORE USED FOR MEXICO CITY, NOW CORNER OF A BUILDING, SEE RK TWO-COLORED STONE WO TS) iN wely Plate XVI JOCKEY CLUB, MEXICO CITY AND CARVING BLEND TO PRODUCE TILE HERE COLORED THE MAXIMUM OF RICHNESS TIViad a LNOOWY GALIWIINA NV ASN SAVMTV LON GIG SNVOIXAUW FHL ALIO OOIXIW ‘AUVUAIT TVNOILVN IITAX 4] Plate XVITI UNITE faunal, Se HOTEL ITURBIDE, CITY OF MEXICO THE CHANGING OF FENESTRATION AT DIFFERENT FLOOR LEVELS HELD NO DIFFICULTY FOR THE MEXICAN ANAULKA NV OL W d0vVaiuns OOlLS TI {Sau {ITVS SVOOV AOVIVd Ivddaddd XIX 4] VGEWVIV AHL AOVA SATVLIUOd AXYAHM XX 4 cL $7 LIidvVo OD L AOILON AdVOVA LSATMWIS AHL OL ALINOIG 3AID ATLINGINGAYA TTIM AVMYOOd GAIYOLS-OML V ALIO OOIXIW ‘TJGVOUV NV UTGNA SAUOLS IXX 40] ale Plate XXII MEXICO CHURCH AT GUANAJUATO, Plate ) s if ) ‘ wi ig = | A ~ 7 = FLYING BUTTRESS—SANTA ROSA, QUERETARO, MEXICO XXII Tae BUILDING IN TEPOZOTLAN WOULD MAKE 5S UEASISRSWeAUYess Ui dria Ulla mslONy AN EFFECTIVE DESIGN FOR A GARAGE GUADALUPE Plate XXIV Plate XXV A CHURCH WALL SHRINE, CHURUBUSCO A RICH SPOT IN THE MIDST OF CRUDE SURROUNDINGS pena F nam é L E A WALL TABLET, MEXICO CITY ON THE ROAD TO SAN JUAN A SHORT HISTORICAL NOTE RELIEVES TEOTIHUACAN—GARDEN THE SEVERITY OF THIS WALL WALL WITH POSTS insti micintelgel ilehnpula nm enentne dla eivgbengeentheprpettty OAdaLTAdVHO UVAN NIVINOAOd LONGANGV AAAUVO ATALVUOTVIA NV : } ; } | f f q ——— j IAXX U1 a a rr ra Plate XXVIT THERE IS A SUGGESTION FOR A GARDEN WALL IN THIS CURIOUSLY BUILT OLD WALL AROUND THE CHURCH OF TACUBA WALL OF THE CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO, MONTERREY +, % ITTAXX HP] ch ONIMOUS Ch nicl roa is Hl M STTVM NAaUY D— Ox 1V IN NVS ‘OU YOHO 1a SS SS XIXX U/ch LSIXA TIILS GTINOM ANOWUVH AGNV STTUG AO AOVId AHL NI SMOGNIM VINUYOAITVO ‘SATAONV SOT ‘NOISSIW TAINVAVO NVS 40 ATINVMUWNYVO AHL Sa arrears etn sti 4h ‘isirettecte turgid ole winhtiel at airmantaly onaipicaitinben vanterts y Ses Plate XXX sco UBU CHUR AT CONVENT ABE: COURTYARD OF Plate XXXI SS MEXICO ANCIENT CONVENT IN COURT OF AN THE IN WELL a al ae ecsvoeetl Plate XXXIT CALIFORNIA SSION, BARA MI BAR SANTA DEN PATIO GAR Tae Nein CONVENTO ATIO DEL P dehusineenconing seh as Sd cul laishniet HELP A SMALL GARDEN HOW A FOUNTAIN CAN eee Plate XX XIII A FARM PATIO, A FARM-YARD WITH REAL INDIVIDUALITY a a aaa — = aa - — Plate XXXIV PATIO, COLEGIO DE LAS VIZCAINAS lll. COURTYARD OF THE HOTEL ITURBIDE SUMMER HOTELS MIGHT WELL FOLLOW THESE EXAMPLES OF OUR MEXICAN COUSINS Plate XXX} a a ares se SA MISSION, CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA < i) a < oO ica) S| = 5 < <3) * st ica) Si B = : g a (S = Ss = : | Be ro rz ie) = a 19 & z a oO n a ay AY ict i“) : an 3) m4 ra a x Zz Ba ! RANCE BINT i a aera Plate XXXVIT OLD GATEWAY, ORIZABA, MEXICO A LAND DEVELOPMENT WITH THIS AS AN ENTRANCE WOULD AT ONCE ACQUIRE DISTINCTION 646a8b2sednnl saaccec, Md a eeetiia neck cm eee PICTURESQUE LODGINGS FOR MAN AND BEAST, MEXICO CITY ! Plate XXXVIIT IXTLACIHUATL FROM PLAZA, AMECAMECA GATEWAY WITH A DOUBLE ARCH, COYOACAN Plate XXXIX A ae ig Lal if \ nt & Y ENTRANCE TO THE GROUNDS OF SAN LUIS REY DE FRANCIA, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA A STUCCO GARDEN WALL MAY EASILY ADD DELIGHT TO A BARREN SPOT ene a a aaa = - —— . - Plate XL 4 DP ree f Buowc aa MExaceor Cre 192 J a ENRICH THE ANGLES AND THE WALLS WILL TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES Plate XLI A RICH CORNER, MEXICO CITY ISIE, JOIN) DY IISA, CKOUSADIS| WU IC) (uaPxy ONE SUCH SPOT CAN MAKE AN ENTIRE FACADE Sone E p= fa eaEpare-™ = * ™ as Plate XLII ber b Ya, z= = EARL A GARGOYLE DEFTLY EMPLOYED WILL GIVE RELIEF TO THE FLATTEST FACADE A PARAPET WITH A GARGOYLE MAKES THE CONVENTIONAL CORNICE UNNECESSARY Plate XLII OLD MEXICO DID NOT USE TERRA COTTA BUT IF IT HAD THE FACTORIES WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE WORKED OVERTIME Plate XLIV em INDIVIDUALITY MAY BE DEVELOPED IN ANY BUILDING IF ALL ITS ENRICHMENT HAS SOME DEFINITE MEANING a fe = . - — . - . ————— A FLYING SAILS, GUADALUPE TOWER NOT THOUGH ALWAYS IN SIGHT HAVE TO BE CONVENTIONAL DOES Plate XLV a feleanostinediuarnenesne lett said ebaeanrne ADL al pal al ipl ries aa LSU coy rx We A LUOddAS LI AAIO AMS AHL OL dN SAGNVIS YAMOL V NAHM OOIXaW VZLNOZLNIZL ‘quVAHOUNHO } | | : TATX [Lh } TIATX %2[cqL YUAMOd HN AHL O ANHO GFUNLOAALS VY OL HLONAUALS 1O a€SNAS AHL SAAIO SSAA, @ LUVMIVLS V OUVLAYIIG NI HOUNHO Plate XLVIIT SAN JOSE, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS THE AGES THROUGH TO CARRY DOWN BUILT a aaa SANTO DOMINGO CHIL RCH, CITY OF MEXICO Plate XLIX GZOVASD AO STANILNAS NIML aquvooO NO YAAT SAGNVLS YIMOL FHL OOIXAW S‘VITAUYOW AO vuvilvivavaos TVUGAHLVO AHL AO SUIMOL AIOTO AGNV AYATIA ‘AadITAA NVS FO HOUNHO AHL AO AWATAA T Web eee s =| IT Yh G2AVNNOTOO V HONS 1O INF OOIXHW ‘HOUNHO ANY GHL LV TVLUOd * LSVULNOO ONI oO r9) NIWOC OLNVS Plate LI PORCH AND FOUNTAIN OF SACRO MONTE, AMECAMECA j a VIEW IN JALAPA, VERA CRUZ AN EXTERIOR ENTRANCE TO AN UPPER STORY CAN BE MADE A SOURCE OF ADDED CHARM Lrpssri ty sess there siseibeninicsdisllaislail Asis ef DNIS aati cist isfuledois miphnvle'a wbrbtghaiy sisieieahiinhenaiet xin . sae abides eee = q NY NX e ti - | ty < q S 4 h & q ‘| : | i < ‘ Zz q re fo} = 5 is) MEXICO TISTA MISSION, 3 ' S f zi i en i. ' Z i 3 \ B 3 } 2 : i A < ! i ' 3 : | < a H : : =) ia, 1 = fs za > = 2 i Fe ° = Q ° cal a 4 Z 4 % i | fe) 2 1 5 H | a 7) i ) q ‘ t Ea pen Ep PE nn Plate LIV SAN FERNANDO MISSION HOW COOL POR A PORCH, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE STREET IN AGUAS CALIENTES, MEXICO THERE ARE MANY GARDE GREATLY IMPROVED BY SUCH AN ADDITION S AND COUNTRY HOUSES THAT WOULD BE a Fag EE EN ee SS SET peor > Plate LV A STREET IN EL ORO, MEXICO THE HOUSE ON THE HILL CAN CARRY ITS PORCHES WITH IT aa a ae aa fat enaee —— elated hah srrmansin eeaeere ices cee . = sive et wii al es N j x sy q & at a \ q | m i i E i = q i : i rh < oO q ZZ ] mw i o4 % ! ky RAs ih = a : A\ 3 2 a ; f a0 4 A 4 i og @ & y = a ) H 4 tees) Ss \ Ee) oes i oe “a i a faa} ; gq 2 = | fan ‘ a8 1 oe i | 4 \ Papo mg ap Plate LVI CONVENTO DEL CARMEN, COYOACAN A TREATMENT SUITABLE FOR SLEEPING PORCHES Plate LV III STREET MARKET IN PUEBLA, MEXICO! PORCHES ARE NOT LIMITED TO FLAT CEILINGS RARE ARCHITECTURE IN PUEBLA, MEXICO A WEDDING CAKE NO LEss! XIT 0c NIGuvod GHL GNy ASNOH AHL NGAM Lae SINIT SL VILIN LV ASNOH V AO UOAI “HOUOd YUOd aSNouH ARCOM) Sere: rr arrears XT cL AYWIV aNv N ado UG LSaw TAASsaoONS aa HOWOd V—OOIXAW ‘NVOVOAO re) Fal OVOal 72731 HOW A FEW w@ BIG NAILS LEND DI A DOOR OPENING Plate LXI GNITY Se Plate LXII Se aa THE CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO, Zz A < z < mA a z Z LD a < x mw 2D q BUEN GARDEN DOORWAY OF Plate LXIII A STUDY IN CONTRASTS CHURCH BUILT BY A SUCCESSFUL SILVER MINER IN g TO SAN SEBASTIAN-Y—-SANTA PRISCA, TAX AND DEDICATE co SEAS aga eRa gp arp e eee = . = sae PASO p= eaa spare oe = os Plate LXIV SAN JOSE, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS OBVIOUSLY THERE IS NO RESTRAINT TO THE FANCY HERE LOLVAI ONIGNONOUUNS AUXOW AAGV NOILISOd AHL UOL HONONT AOUVIT LON SI XOOd AHL AXT 20d, AT GHL advuo aH NAUddIH SVH MOTAA YOO ONIGTIONG AHL qGHL 10 10 WOLLOG INGNAILLIAS AHL ae Plate LXVI JOSE, ANTONIO, TEXAS SAN SAN DOOR OF TO ITS IMPORTANCE ADD LARGELY DOORWAY MAY THE APPROACH TO THE addvovd aH fo) SAUNLOId FHL IL ddv AAHL ATHSIAVT TVLAW GASN SNVOIXAW AHL SSANAAC UAMOTA GCTIOH OL SAINOOTVE Ul LHONOUM ALIO OOIXTW ‘GUVNSD TFTXHM AZNOU aoe J ITAXT #°7L a Plate LXVIIT DOORWAY AND BALCONY WITH INTRICATE CARVINGS ENTRANCE TO THE HOTEL ITURBIDE, MEXICO CITY THE DOORWAY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE OF A STRUCTURE AND ITS FLANKING MEMBERS CAN EITHER MAKE OR MAR IT PASO Ney apnea payee REFER EEE eer e se SETT: = SEREes Prices rss ns — = = - Sa reaaenays Plate LXIX DIFFERENT TYPES OF NAILS CHANGE THE CHARACTER OF A DOOR AS MUCH AS DIF MOLDINGS CAN CHANGE A CORNICE RENT TYPES OF ETE ETS Plate LXX ~, 4 a } Wa, | { i) iy } oa STUCCO DOORWAY AND NICHE AT SAN GABRIEL MISSION, CALIFORNIA IXXT #7] cxL Vv UVaUNVvyda VINVS “ood AYALAWNAO AHL ALIO OOIXTW oxy AA wood qr ENTRANCE TO MYR P nema papy 2 RESE He es ek ne kt enna eens ERENT S CSTE RAE ED ree: MISSION, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Plate LX XII i= | ' i i ie. i i ET rs Plate LX XIII EL CARMEN, SAN LUIS PoTost, MEXICO CITY AN EXAMPLE OF A SENSE OF SCALE AND STRENGTH GAINED BY CONTRASTING APPLIED ORNAMENT UPON SOLIDITY FIRST SHRINE, MEXICO CITY ONE SPOT OF DETAIL MAKES THE WHOLE COMPOSITION AIXXT °c UALOVUAVHO NV SVH AJNOLS NI G4LVLINI XUOA Tv U OLVNN a M NOU! LSAYUALNI HLIM AZAIT ATAVO ANITA SIHL ANVW FTUVO HLIM AASOdSIG SNUYOA ATAWIS a Ga4NIHS SAOHS AW HZOVdS SLI LId NOILISOAWOO LAS OL FTAAH NI OO OL Gasn I GHL SAAVW AVMUOOG V NIHLIM AVMUOOTd V GTOVIVd S dOHSIG YANUOMT AHL AO AVMUOOT VINUOAITVO ‘NOISSIN AAU SINT N 10 AVMUOOd ATO FaONYATS 4 7 ystoelga1 mn AXXT YUE oaursntaata TAXXT #4 ANOWUVH Steninitiniteitnulaiceiel dip ss aioe edits ie titlr nanan iteleapttsormtt LoOadadd NI AGIs x ALIO OOIXEW “IVUGAHLVO AHL AO LNOUA SLU Ina eile einer et TAA TO ag lg ESR TE MDL AODVOITAYMG INV HLON: J tt a ba ete ee tes Renee aE Es ates Sees ee ee ee eae Ds eererect ete LS eT a eee ITAXXT SGNNO0US GAMOTTIVH Ich Ga NO LHONOA OHM NGW AHL A@ GAZITVLYOWWI SVM OWVIV JHL a ITIAXXT #°EL SSTOONS TVOOA HLIM STOVAUNS AO SLNAWLVAUL ONILSVULNOO UO SANT T ONILSVULNOO Ad Gavw ad NVO SNOILISOdWOO I ond SSao00ns sib sesgasaeaazpars-ee> Plate LXXIX CHURCH OF THE BLACK CHRIST, VERA CRUZ CARVING IS NOT ESSENTIAL TO A SUCCESSFUL DESIGN me | hy ~ Boe. Six OLDEST CHURCH IN MEXICO (TLAXCALA) BY USING A SUITABLE DARK MATERIAL FOR THE DOORS THE OUT- LINE OF THE GREATER OPENING IS UNAFFECTED AND YET ONLY THE SMALL DOORS BELOW ARE USED NOILVOIdILsal NMO UIGHL AAV AAHL AASILVS SLSVUYLNOO NAAM vuvivIvdavoad ‘VOINOW VINVS XXXT %/d- HAAH LNAGIAY ATLONILSIGC SI ANIT NAWOUX AUAAO AHL AO SSANSSATILSAY AHL ISOLOd SINT NVS ‘NAWUVO TAC VISATOI EPS. Be bP eer WUVHO HONW SddV LNIVULSTA TAIAVId V—ALIO OSOIXIW *SVYNAVOZIA SVT Jd OINAIOO IXXXT 7°] 1890877 Plate LXXXII vem oe = | ig aaa THE SHAPES ARCHITECTURAL FORMS MAY TAKE ARE WITHOUT NUMBER CLLR AN ES San empeeeanee — we = pe MATERIALS THE SPANIARDS COULD MIX MANY AND HARMONY EDOM FRE WITH eso san y= eaagpay eos Peso nangapaeenspare-o SEF Plate LXXXIV THE FREEST CARVING IF DOMINATED: BY A DEFINITE STRUCTURAL FORM AUTOMATICALLY FALLS BACK INTO ITS PROPER PLACE G1TVoOS 10 ASNAS GCAaiIs ag GZHL NIVLE@O OL LANDS AYAM SANIT MAN ‘LIONS LON did YYOM ANOLS FHL AXXXT HW] ch tO SLNIOf GH aI OS LI GHONVUAV ATANVUA NVOIXAW AHL PSE@UUS ACRE CUGUIY Rag isGoUiciisl ALNCGIREGl GZAVH OL a dId 140 SMOGNIM TAVUISAC LI AAYVW WOIAALNI AHL GINOHS spleen itiat se sPinleia aol Teostirat stirs Pottont TAXXXT 7° Te ere\ eaEsasrrs AVQGOL SI NVOIWAWNV v : SSE Prete renettatealese IHL NV HL selene pias cei tintnoatamipnsnaittt al NOILIGVUL OL INNO | aaa. ae \ *\ i SuaSaeaS |; EL CCT iq i | a = || ee AYUOW ON SVM NVOIXAW AHL SE Tea enrrene es nme Ae Ne Dram eNO Heel ren eT tat atclahee a a ea GNOQOUAUHAS AVMUOOA VY £0 GVaudS AHL OL LINIT ON SI FaaHL LI ITLVGOWWOOOV TVUNLOALIHOUV SIH L SANIT 2a 2H Aol did 10 WUOd NIVLUAD ALIO OOIXAW “AOVIVd IVNOILVN NIVLUGTO V NI LNAWVNUO Gd@ AONAAGNAdAANI ANV AONVUINGA NIVN V GHaHSIM FAH LVHL GAGIOUd NVOIXAW AHL NAHM TIAXXXT Y?]qd, wae nega aai pare oS Plate LXXXVIIT (<4 =) fe) & co a i=) [-4 ° eB a a o) fw | a a ) & Ei aD cay z 5 a