Casa Batlló - Antoni Gaudí

If you're into history and architecture, then visiting Barcelona would meant visiting the works of Antoni Gaudí.




A prominent Spanish Catalan architect that raved through Barcelona during his lifetime from the late 1800s till his death at 1926. Much of it out of controversy due to his modernism perspective that was difficult to swallow in those times; and much of it out of adoration today.

He was so great, seven of his works were classified UNESCO World Heritage Sites; many even named him the God's Architect, during and after his time.

During my visit to Barcelona, I've visited a total of four of his great works. And decided to split all of them into individual post instead of posting them altogether in one.

It would one too many to absord if so.




Casa Batlló was a house renovated in the early 1900s by Gaudí and his assistant for a middle-class family. Keep in mind that in Europe, middle-classes were rather wealthy people, just not of aristocracy or landed gentry. Hence you'll find the residential house situated in a populous district of Barcelona, even back in the days.




The first impression of this house was that the design's focus was to stay out of straight line. The whole building was curvy, and inspired heavily by bone structure of animals.


as you can see in building layout


My aim in all of these four posts (including this one) is not to lecture, but to allow you to enjoy the works of Antoni Gaudí in his time (a whole century ago) through some of my photos. You'll be surprised at the modernism in his designs.




But first, I would have to pay 16.50 euro for the entrance fee.


sigh, gone were my student days.












fire place and sitting "chamber"






ceiling encircling the centre light.









my favourite chandelier in the building



while most household sinks still used typical oval/round shaped sinks, Gaudí has evolved into our time.



lift view in the house



door to backyard-roof



ceiling



view of Casa Batlló from the back (semi-roof)



stone wall



lift - heading up again



spinal-like top floor



light, through the "slit" of the ceiling. I would love to have this design for my house lighting next time.



rooftop, chimneys or ventilation towers






mosaic broken ceramic tiles



reminds me of a chinese dragon's back



moi



not a very pretty neighbourhood












lift back down


I left my signature in the guestbook before I left.


It's true. Especially the sitting chamber, the nature design reminds me a lot of that Crazy House in Dalat, Vietnam.


And that's the end of Casa Batlló.




I hope you enjoyed your tour.

(Next - a high-end condo of the 1900s by Antoni Gaudí)


View his other works here :-
Casa Milà
Park Güell and
Sagrada Familia