ARCHITECTURE
USAC CENTRAL LIBRARY 1969
As artistic consultant for the design of the Library of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala (USAC), Luis Díaz contributed an integrated vision that brought together art, architecture, and spatial perception. His participation was particularly significant in the conceptual design of the façade’s brise-soleil, conceived as both functional and compositional elements that regulate natural light while enriching the building’s visual expression. He also contributed to the decision to rotate the building within the site, creating a more dynamic relationship with its surroundings and a new spatial experience within the university campus.
DEL PINAL HOUSE 1971
The Casa del Pinal, located in San José Pinula, was designed by Luis Díaz as an architectural response adapted to the climatic conditions of its surroundings. Its closed northeast-facing façade protects the interior from prevailing winds, while a central dome functions as a regulating element, allowing natural ventilation of the social area and kitchen. The layout integrates two bedrooms around this spatial core, creating a functional environment where architecture, climate, and residential comfort are harmoniously connected.
ARTIST'S HOUSE 1972
The Artist’s House, designed and inhabited by Luis Díaz and his family, is an integral work in which architecture, art, and design converge within a single space. Built in 1972 in El Manzanillo, Mixco, the residence functions as a creative laboratory, incorporating sculptures, paintings, furniture, and architectural elements developed by the artist throughout his career. Each environment reveals a dialogue between structure, material, and memory, offering an intimate view of his aesthetic universe and his conception of space as an extension of artistic practice.
INFOM BUILDING 1973
Luis Díaz's work as artistic consultant for the Institute of Municipal Development (INFOM) building (1973) helped integrate art and architecture in one of the most significant institutional projects of its time. His proposal emphasized an architectural expression inspired by the monumentality of Maya architecture through a building whose floor plates progressively increase in area toward the upper levels, forming an inverted pyramid visible from all four façades. The project reflects his pursuit of a distinctly Guatemalan architectural identity rooted in Pre-Columbian references and the integration of art and architecture.
BOUGANVILIA RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM 1974
Luis Díaz, in collaboration with architect Mario Bendfeld, designed Condominio Bouganvilia as a residential and mixed-use complex. The project integrates a rear tower with 48 apartments and a front tower with 36 offices, establishing a dynamic relationship between living and working spaces. Its façades of natural brick with embedded concrete bricks add texture and visual rhythm. The work reflects Díaz’s interest in uniting architecture, functionality, and aesthetic expression.
ATITLÁN HOUSE 1975
Casa Atitlán, designed and built by Luis Díaz in collaboration with architect Mario Bendfeld, is developed across three levels with a structure of brick and natural concrete. Its large windows frame panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Cerro de Oro, while the upper balcony, fully open to the landscape, establishes a direct connection between the architecture and the majesty of the lake and its surroundings.
ARCHITECTURAL - ARTISTIC INTEGRATION - BANCO INDUSTRIAL 1978
As artistic consultant for the design of the Banco Industrial, Luis Díaz participated in the conception of the façades of the project’s two towers, integrating architecture, institutional identity, and visual expression. His proposal incorporated floor-to-ceiling glazing, creating continuous glass surfaces that emphasize the building’s verticality and transparency. The façades, clad with Solar Bronze aluminum slats, add texture, rhythm, and a contemporary identity to the architectural complex.
CAROL HOUSE 1992
The Carol House, the second building on the Mixco property, was designed by Luis Díaz as a residence integrated with the natural landscape. Its three-level structure adapts to the slope of the mountain, taking advantage of the site’s topography. Large windows frame views of the surrounding forest, reflecting the artist’s interest in establishing a harmonious dialogue between architecture, nature, and the environment.
MARUSH HOUSE 1998
The Marush House, the third building on the Mixco property, was designed by Luis Díaz as a two-story residence integrated with the landscape. Its first level incorporates a three-sided corridor that connects the spaces with the surrounding greenery, reflecting the artist’s pursuit of harmony between architecture and nature.
OTHER WORK
A compendium of other architectural revelevant work.
