brighten the stacked white volumes of Pino Street House by Oscar Gutiérrez, also based in Guadalajara

"This rich cultural background, together with strong traditions and folklore, made this state the perfect foundation for the development of contemporary talent and new generations," said Flores and Fernández.

But today, as one of the fastest-growing cities in Latin America, Guadalajara's architectural scene is moving beyond the regionalist approach. As it expands in size and economic significance, a change in attitude towards architecture in local communities has opened up opportunities to experiment.

"Even though relevant local expressions of architecture have been present in Guadalajara for more than a century, this architecture was just available for the government or the most wealthy," explained Flores and Fernández.

"As the city grows, more people start to be aware ofthe need of architecture or design in their life, whether it improves the quality of living or gives them a more effective or best oriented commercial space," they said. "People have begun to realise that the cost of hiring an architect or designer is worth it."

Another local architect, Delfino Lozano, has also noticed a shift in the city's openness to contemporary architecture over the past few years.

"An excessive subdivision of new developments has generated a favourable field for house development projects – commissions that are regularly performed by emerging architecture firms," he told Dezeen.

This house with pine joinery and an under-stair larder was designed by Guadalajara architect Delfino Lozano

One of the problems the city had before was that much of its creative talent would up sticks from the