Gaudi, Crazy is as Crazy Does

We had to leave out some of our favorite sights in the Barcelona post that were related to the architect Gaudi. His work is so magnificent that we could only hope to do justice by dedicating a post entirely to him. The style that he created is unique and we learned a lot about the method to his madness. It is actually very thought out, based on many of his inspirations from nature and the use of mathematics and geometry. Not only does he provide dreamlike spaces, but ones that are extremely functional.

Several blocks from our accommodations is this house designed by Gaudi called Casa Vicens. The outside has and interesting array of tiles and many Moorish-inspired features. It is a private residence, so unfortunately you cannot visit the inside.

La Sagrada Familia is the icon of Barcelona. It was designed by Gaudi and construction began in 1882 and is scheduled (which means add at least 10-15 years) to be completed in 2017. Gaudi designed it with very clear instructions knowing that he would not be alive to see its completion. A lot of his original notes and documents however were lost in a fire. The design was very thought out and the entire church is full of symbols and meaning attached to them. Even though it is already a soaring feature, there will be an even taller central spire that will be 560 feet tall. This is the East side of the church that depicts several scenes from the end of the life of Jesus. They follow in sequence in an S shaped order, ending with the crucifixion. It is a very stark modernists design, in sharp contrast to the opposite façade.

The interior of the church is breathtaking. This first picture looks towards the altar and the second looks back towards what will be the main entrance once the church is completed. The height is spectacular and the clean white coloring accents the features of light that Gaudi so focused on. His designs inspired by nature and geometry are apparent throughout.

The columns are supposed to mimic the trunks of trees, then towering to the top they branch out and connect to the ceiling, which is a canopy.

This is a school on the site that Gaudi designed with the objective of using as little material possible, he was sustainable even before it became en vogue. The shape is supposed to optimize space, light, and materials. The undulating roofs are actually made with straight pieces that create a wave pattern and the functionality is a roof that drains.

The next Gaudi site we visited was Park Guell, which is a housing area he conceived and designed, but that did not prove successful. One reason might be that it is filled with his trippy architecture and features. Otherwise, it is in an incredible location on a hillside overlooking Barcelona and the sea. Here we are at the entrance to the park, a staircase that includes the famous lizard.

The staircase leads up to a covered space with an undulating, tiled ceiling with decorative mosaics. Above this is a large open courtyard that is lined with a winding bench with backs of colorful, crazy patterned, tile mosaics of all sorts.

Looking back towards the entrance are two houses and the magnificent view over the city.

Another insane feature of the park are these viaducts that are pathways built of these rock columns.

Even if architecture is not your bag, it’s not possible to leave Casa Battlo unimpressed. Built on the famous avenue Passaig de Gracia, the colorful exterior, with skeletal-like structuring (its nickname is the House of Bones), only hints at the wonders within.

This curving wooden staircase has such beautiful lines and a wonderful contrast between the brown colors and the smooth white plaster. At the top of the stairs, there is a small, irregular shaped room that includes this famous mushroomed shaped fireplace and seating area.

One of our favorite rooms is this large living space with parkay floors, rounded walls, and these absurd windows looking out onto the street. The ceiling above is a swirl like a sea shell capped with this sun-like lighting fixture.

This wooden window frame is representative of many of the windows and doors in the apartment. The slats at the bottom can be opened and closed to regulate airflow.

The back patio is a really nice open space with more Gaudi designed mosaics. The back is different from the front, but still has that characteristic Art Nuevo styling.

This is looking down one of the two open, interior shafts of the building. There is a stairway that runs around an elevator in the middle. Gaudi was very conscious about light and designed it so that the windows near the bottom were larger than those at the top, and the tiles at the bottom are lighter than those at the top, to give a more equal amount of light among the different floors.

The attic is a wonderful space with these curved white archways. It also includes laundry rooms that the residents used.

You think it would be done, but Gaudi is very thorough and even the rooftop is a masterpiece. It is full of these insane chimney structures and mosaic tile work.