Biography of Antoni Gaudí

Antoni Gaudí i Cornet is a Spanish architect, Designer and sculptor, known for his innovative and extravagant designs of Catalan Modernism. He was born on June 25, 1852, in Riudoms, a small town near Reus in Spain, and began his career as an architect in Barcelona, where he built most of his most important works.

Study of architecture

At the age of 20, Gaudí moved to the Catalan metropolis of Barcelona to study architecture at the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura de Barcelona. During his studies, he worked as an assistant to various architects, including Josep Fontsere and Josep Maria Sagnier. He graduated with honors in 1878.

God-created beauty

Gaudí was a deeply spiritual man, inspired by nature, by the 'beauty created by God'. He subordinated all his work to this vision: 'I try to show the beauty of God that I see in his creation,' Antoni Gaudí explained his philosophy. Even as the child of a family of coppersmiths, Gaudí acquired an understanding of materials, space, and volume by watching his grandmother and father at work and by trying his hand at it himself. As a child, he was often ill and therefore forced to stay home. He passed the time observing, indeed studying, nature. When Gaudí completed his studies in 1878, the director Elies Rogent bid him farewell with the words: 'I white "Whether we have given him the title of a madman or a genius, time will tell."“

Gaudí's style

For Gaudí already possessed a unique and unmistakable style, inspired by both nature and Catalan culture and folklore, and clearly standing out from the conventional. He often used organic forms and colors reminiscent of nature, incorporating them into his designs in a unique and artistic way. He employed traditional techniques and materials such as brick, ceramics, and wood. Gaudí achieved the necessary stability with steel beams, which—despite all the dynamic forms and playfulness—provide his buildings with the required sturdiness. The steel beams function like bones in a skeleton. Indeed, Gaudí's buildings appear less like structures and more like organisms that seem to adapt to their purpose. "I believe that nature is the best architect," said Gaudí.

Gaudí and Güell

In mid-1878, the paths of Eusebi Güell and Antoni Gaudí crossed. This seemingly chance encounter would prove to be a momentous one, for Güell possessed the financial resources and social influence, while Gaudí had the ideas. Despite their initial differences, they shared a mutual admiration and a penchant for similar tastes. Güell became Gaudí's mentor and patron.

Casa Vicens

After completing his studies, Gaudí initially began his career as an architect, designing and building residential and public buildings. Compared to his later works, these were smaller projects in Barcelona, where he focused primarily on the design of the building envelope and which are less well-known to the general public. One example is Casa Vicens, a house on Carrer de les Carolines, which Gaudí built between 1883 and 1885. His first building served as a summer residence for the Vicens family and demonstrates Gaudí's beginnings as an architect, showcasing his early ideas and styles. Today, Casa Vicens is a museum open to visitors. The brick-red building stands out due to its striking color and form and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Casa de los Botines

Another remarkable project by Gaudí, often overlooked, is the Casa de los Botines in León. Work on this 800-square-meter residential and commercial building in the Castile region of northwestern Spain began in 1890 with the drawing up of the plans and was built between 1891 and 1892. The Casa de los Botines is considered one of Gaudí's first major projects and demonstrates his ability to work in various architectural styles. The imposing building is constructed in the Neo-Gothic style and is a listed historical monument. It now houses a museum, where visitors can also tour two residential floors furnished with period pieces.

Bishop's Palace of Astorga

Parallel to the Casa de los Botines, Gaudí built the Bishop's Palace of Astorga in neighboring Astorga between 1887 and 1893. At least, he was entrusted with the first phase of construction of the monumental Neo-Gothic building with Art Nouveau accents, and erected it up to the first floor. Just as Antoni Gaudí never completed the building, no bishop ever moved in.

Casa Calvet

Another, rather unknown project by Gaudí, which should definitely be mentioned, is the Casa. Calvet. The residential and commercial building at Carrer de Casp 48 in Barcelona, which he built between 1898 and 1900 for the textile manufacturer Pedro Mártir Calvet, is often described as Gaudí's most 'ordinary' building. Although less well-known because it is less striking, it demonstrates Casa Calvet However, Gaudí's ability to work in a more traditional style also highlights his skills as an interior designer. Particularly noteworthy in this context is the... Calvet Chair and the Calvet Armchair, which are still available in their original form today at TAGWERC are available.

Architecture of Light

Even at Casa Calvet, it becomes clear that Gaudí was a pioneer in the use of light in architecture. He placed particular emphasis on allowing natural light to flow into his buildings. Gaudí integrated artificial light as an accent or used it to achieve special effects. This design aspect is particularly evident in the church. Sagrada Familia and can be experienced in Park Güell.

Park Güell

The legendary Park Güell, today a major tourist attraction in the Catalan metropolis of Barcelona, is one of Gaudí's first, larger, and more holistic projects. Today, the public Park Güell is primarily visited for its fantastic colors and shapes and is perceived as unique and fantastical. However, it is the holistic architecture, with its unique sights and unexpected vistas, as well as organically shaped walls and seating areas, that truly defines the concept of Park Güell and is emblematic of Gaudí's style. Park Güell is located in the Gràcia district, in the La Salut neighborhood. Antoni Gaudí built the park between 1900 and 1914, commissioned by his patron Eusebi Güell, after whom it is named. Eusebi Güell (1846–1918), industrialist, politician, and patron of the arts, was a self-proclaimed Freemason. The Gaudí invoices also feature typical Freemason symbols: the square and compasses, suggesting that Antoni Gaudí also belonged to the order.

Gaudí's house

Park Güell covers a considerable area of 17.18 hectares. The park, for which you should therefore allow at least two hours to visit, also contains Gaudí's former residence. He lived here from 1906 to 1925, until a year before his death. Today, Gaudí's residence houses the Gaudí Museum and displays the furniture he designed. Some of his plans and drawings are also exhibited and can be admired here. Throughout his life, Gaudí devoted considerable time and energy to documenting and presenting his projects. Most of these documents have survived to this day, and some can be viewed in Gaudí's former residence. Park Güell, along with other works by Gaudí such as the Sagrada Familia church, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.

Sagrada Familia

In 1883, Antoni Gaudí began construction of the Sagrada Familia church. Honored to be entrusted with this project, Gaudí considered himself to have achieved his dreams. "I have always dreamed of building a church that looks like a forest where birds build their nests," Gaudí described. At the same time, this mammoth undertaking became his life's work. The Sagrada Familia is both Gaudí's most imposing and arguably Barcelona's most famous building. Until his death in 1926, the grand master of architecture continued to work on the structure, which was finally completed in 1935 with the so-called "Nativity Façade." While the construction of the Casa de los Botines took only a year, the church became a century-long project, which continues to this day in Gaudí's style. The plan stipulated that construction on the Sagrada Familia should be completed in 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death. This now seems unrealistic. The church is a masterpiece of Modernisme, Catalan Modernism, a unique style of Art Nouveau that Gaudí significantly influenced. It stands as a prime example of the architecture of Gaudí and Barcelona.

Casa Batlló

Another well-known work by Gaudí is the house Casa Batlló, a residential building on Passeig de Gràcia, which he built between 1904 and 1906. It is considered one of his masterpieces and is characterized by its unusual forms and his use of color. The furniture pieces are available at TAGWERC. Batlló Chair and Batlló Bench. The chair and bench were also designed by Gaudí as part of a holistic architectural project, in which the architect also designed the interiors. They are still manufactured today using the same traditional methods and are unique design objects in the Modernisme style.

Casa Milà

Following Casa Battle, Casa Milà was built. One of Gaudí's most extraordinary projects—also known as La Pedrera—this residential building on Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona was constructed between 1906 and 1910 for the Milà family. It is distinguished by its unusual forms and use of natural materials and is considered one of the finest and most famous examples of Catalan Modernisme architecture. Also noteworthy are the design of squares and streets such as Plaça Reial and Rambla de Catalunya. The latter remains one of Barcelona's most popular and busiest streets. Lined with linden trees, the boulevard leads from the sea into the heart of Barcelona, its central section being a pedestrian zone.

La Seu

Besides his work in Barcelona and for private clients, Gaudí was involved in several public building projects in other parts of Spain. Examples include the restoration of Las Seu, the Gothic cathedral in Palma de Mallorca, and the design of part of the Montaña Pelada park in his hometown of Reus.

International orders

Furthermore, Gaudí's professional activities took place on an international level. Projects in South America, particularly in Colombia, bear his signature. He designed the El Rosedal apartment building in Bogotá and participated in the design of the El Parque del Periodista park, also in the Colombian capital. These projects contributed to Gaudí's international influence.

Torre de Bellesguard

There are also some unfinished projects by Gaudí that were not completed after his death, such as the Torre de Bellesguard residential building, also known as Casa Figueras, which is now privately owned and parts of which have been open to the public since 2013. It is guarded by a dragon, the Dragon of Bellesguard.

Architectural plasticity

With so much architectural plasticity, it's no wonder that Gaudí was a gifted sculptor and created many decorative elements, ornaments, and sculptures for his buildings himself. He modeled mostly with plaster. Other interior objects were made of wood or metal.

Source of inspiration

Gaudí's creative energy and inimitable style continue to resonate and inspire architects, even in contemporary architecture. His blend of organic forms combined with color, his use of natural materials, and his architectural connection to nature and the environment are visionary and far ahead of their time. They have had a lasting influence on the world of architecture and design and have found many imitators.

Attention and significance

Instead of fading over the years, Gaudí's works have gained increasing attention and significance worldwide, especially in recent decades. Most of his buildings have survived to this day, preserving the memory of their creator as museums and making it accessible to future generations. Numerous books and films reflect on and interpret Gaudí's life and work.

Influence on architecture and Catalan culture

All of this contributes to Gaudí being regarded today as one of the most famous and important figures in architectural history. His works are an indispensable part of the cultural landscape of Barcelona, indeed of Spain, and remarkable artifacts of a bygone era that endure to this day. His influence on modern architecture and on Catalan culture and history is undeniable.

Accident on the way to the construction site

After 1912, Gaudí increasingly withdrew from public life. The dandy of yesteryear, with his penchant for social gatherings and fine dining, had become an unkempt man who ate and lived frugally. Until his death, Gaudí lived a secluded life in Park Güell, near the Sagrada Familia. Nevertheless, he continued working on the church until June 10, 1926, 15 days before his 74th birthday, when he was killed in a tram accident on his way to the Sagrada Familia construction site. No one recognized the disheveled, injured man at the scene of the accident. At the opulent funeral two days later, all of Barcelona lined the streets to pay their respects to Antoni Gaudí.

Gaudí, an exceptional architect

To this day, Antoni Gaudí's influence on modern architecture is enormous, and his works are world-famous. They are visited by millions of tourists every year. He is considered one of the most important architects of the 20th century, and many of his works have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Design classic by Antoni Gaudí at TAGWERC

At TAGWERC you'll find the Antoni Gaudí Design Classics collection. Explore a curated selection of Antoni Gaudí design objects online in the TAGWERC Design STORE. For any Antoni Gaudí objects not listed here, we would be happy to provide you with a personalized quote.