Yucatan Hacienda Architecture Book
Besides being prolific writers and esclavos del Internet (slaves of the Internet), the Working Gringos are photographers. Three years ago, we were commissioned to photograph about a dozen Yucatan haciendas for a book that was being published by the Autonomous University of Yucatan's school of architecture, known as FAUADY, in conjunction with Cultura Banamex and the Yucatan Institute of Culture (ICY). Our good friend and architect, Salvador Reyes, recommended us for the job (Gracias, Salvador!).
We faithfully drove out into the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula every day that it didn't rain for about a month, lugging our photography equipment into fancy hotels and bee-infested ruins. We dragged ladders into empty lots to get the right perspective. We sat around for hours to get the right light. We avoided rusty nails and narrowly escaped falling 30 feet into a cenote. We played with the children and even started to bring soccer balls with us to give away. We discovered towns and people we had never heard of, enjoying experiences too numerous to mention. We would return each day tired but extremely satisfied and exhilarated because the work was, well... fun!
Then they didn't publish the book. And they didn't publish it the year after either. We finally gave up and figured we would never see our hard-won photographs in print. And then, of course, we received an unexpected invitation to attend the publishing party. Doesn't Life always seem to work that way?
When we arrived at FAUADY, the tables were set up in the inner courtyard of the huge three story stone building that was once a monastery. There was a formal guest list which was politely checked at the door. The party was attended by many faculty members, hacienda owners, students, alumni (including Salvador Reyes Rios, Henry Ponce and Gabriela Cornelio) and the man who single-handedly started the hacienda revival here in the Yucatan, Roberto Hernandez. The governor of Yucatan was scheduled to attend, but spent the evening at the Mexico City airport, due to inclement weather. After an introductory speech (we understood almost all of it) and a video presentation, there were a few expository speeches, including one from the woman who had directed our work, Blanca Paredes, a well-loved profesora. Afterwards Blanca presented us with official certificates proclaiming our contributions. But more importantly, she gave us each one of the treasured tomes.
The book is called Arquitectura de Las Haciendas de Yucatán (Architecture of the Haciendas of the Yucatan). It is a 439-page coffee-table-sized Spanish-language architecture textbook, full of drawings, plans, explanations and, most importantly to us, photographs! The book is substantial and beautifully produced (in Spain) and we are orgullosos (proud) to be a part of it, to say the least.
The first question some of you may ask is, "where can I buy one?". If you quickly send us your order, we may be able to get you one. The price to us is $750 pesos ($1,100 pesos retail), so we don't imagine there will be a line at the door. But if you must have one, we might be able to help. We say 'quickly' because we can order more copies directly from FAUADY this week, but we have no idea if we'll be able to do it again. They will eventually be sold in bookstore chains here in Mexico, like Dantes, but in a limited number. While it is a beautifully produced book, at the end of the day it's a reference work for Spanish-speaking architects
The haciendas of the Yucatan are drawing more and more attention to this area. Most of them are beautiful and majestic. Each one is unique and as a group they are architectural treasures that are an important part of the Yucatecan patrimónia (heritage). There is nothing like majestic stone buildings with arches, pools, chimeneas (chimneys), fountains and tiles under the bright blue Yucatan sky to let you know you aren't in Kansas anymore. We encourage anyone who is interested to find out more about them and to enjoy their magical presence.
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For more about haciendas, be sure to read Yucatan Living's article on haciendas.
And here are some books you can pick up on Amazon (or elsewhere):
ARQUITECTURA DE LAS HACIENDAS DE YUCATÁN. Blanca Paredes Guerrero et al - The book with our photography in it is sometimes available through Amazon.com.
Haciendas of Mexico - Not the best quality book. About haciendas throughout Mexico, not just Yucatan.
The New Hacienda - A design book by aficionados Karen Witynski and Joe Carr.
Haciendas de Mexico/Great Houses of Mexico 2009 Square Wall Calendar - Yearly wall calendar with lovely hacienda photos.
Comments
Scott Burdick 17 years ago
Hi there,
I was at Hacienda Xcanatun last weekend and saw this amazing book. Arquitectura de las Haciendas de Yucatan. I'd like to buy a couple copies for our friends. One of whom was married at Hacienda Santa Rosa over the weekend.
Any information you could send me about how to buy copies would be most appreciated.
Very best,
Scott Burdick
480 945 8447
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Yucatan Living - Best Hacienda Experience 17 years ago
...We were lucky enough to meet and befriend well-known architect Salvador Reyes-Rios and his lovely designer wife Josefina Larrain. Through our friendship and working relationship with them, we were introduced to the Grupo Plan haciendas, now operated by Starwood, that had just been renovated by Salvador and others for Roberto Hernandez...
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Working Gringos 18 years ago
Gracias, Omar. We don't have any more books to sell ourselves, but we're trying to get the information about where they might be available for sale. When we find out something, we'll post it here on Yucatan Living.
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omar l lopez 18 years ago
buen trabajo chicos i love the mexican haciendas architecture and i would like to have the book please let me know where to purchase este encantador libro. "muchas gracias"
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Tiffany 18 years ago
Hello,
Is it too late to order a book? If someone has canceled perhaps I could take the extra inventory off your hands? It sounds like
a beautiful book, and what a painful process! I assisted on a a book project last year, (in France) it was the restoration of the
Opera House in Monaco. Talk about detail and nightmare lighting! Anyway, I can truly appreciate all of your hard work. The Monaco
project took two years! And was shot as RAW data file format as well and yes we used Photoshop CS2, it rocks!
Please advise if I may purchase your wonderful book.
Thank you,
Tiffany in Antibes
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Deborah 18 years ago
WG,
Happy New Year and please let me know when you want my credit card info. I still want the book even at the higher cost...no problem. Thanks!
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Carlos Daniel Gallegos 18 years ago
Congradulations! Too bad I never met U when I was in Merida. Though, I probably seen U guys as I sat in Plaza Grande accross from the Palacio, waiting for my esposa, Ariadna, get off work at the Museo de La Ciudad. I at times wore T-shirts, that I wrote with a marker on it: 100% TexMex. To let the yucatecos know I was a Tejano. We are proud of being from Texas. I sat in La Parque, watching the world pass by. Noting the tourist from all over. Noting the Yucatecos and People of Chiapas. Maybe we passed each other as I shopped at the WalMart or ate at VIPS on Paseo de Montejo. I also ate my desayunos at the McDonalds on Paseo de Montejo, and watched the tourist's gawk over the Monumento de la Bandera. My esposa and I ate at the Burger King and KFC in Centro often. We went to the Plazas alot. Gran Plaza is my wife's favorite. We traveled on the buses. Again, Congradulations, I hope to come back to Merida May 2007. It's cheaper than to try and get my wife a tourist VISA to Texas. Sad though, I will have to leave my wife again, cause I cant live in Merida under my circumstances.
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CasiYucateco 18 years ago
No problem at all. Please keep the books coming!
Things change often in Mexico - it's ~normal~ there. Flexibility - in almost everything - is a helpful trait in Mexico.
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CasiYucateco 18 years ago
Hahaha... that is so ~normal~ for Mexico / Yucatan / Merida. Things Change! Rigid people may find living in Mexico amazingly difficult.
Please keep my "order" going! Thanks so much!
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Working Gringos 18 years ago
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
We have just learned that each hacienda book will actually cost us $750 pesos plus 15% IVA (tax) for a total of $862.50 pesos or roughly $80 dollars. Also, the books will not be available until after January 4th. If anyone who requested a book would like to cancel, please email us at blog@yucatanliving.com. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
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Deborah 18 years ago
WG,
Again, many thanks for your wondeful web page and articles! I would like to purchase the book, plus shipping costs to the US. Please contact me for VISA card details. Best wishes to you, your family, and amigos during this holiday season.
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