We’ve arrived in Barcelona to visit some of its architectural treasures as well as sample the food and nightlife. Today we’re visiting some Antoni Gaudi buildings, in particular the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo and Casa Mila La Pedrera. The Sagrada Familia has been under construction since 1882 and still has many years before completion, what particularly fascinated me was the museum in the basement area, the pictures and architectural models show an incredible architectural process rarely seen today as most of the architectural process is generally computer driven.
Casa Battlo is a renowned architectural masterpiece in the centre of Barcelona constructed in 1904, a short taxi distance from the cathedral. At first glance its roof resembles that of a reptile, the roof tiles appearing like the scales, changing colour in the sunlight.
The balconies of the building appear like ‘operatic’ masks and I particularly like that there appears not to be a straight line in sight. The tour of the courtyard and the rooftops was well worth the trip alone. As with most Gaudi buildings the experience is truly unique and quite surreal, they are highly individual, organic and almost impossible to replicate.
In total contrast is the Mies van der Rohe German pavilion, an icon to any architectural student. Constructed in 1929 (rebuilt in 1983) for the international exposition it is architecture in its purist form. A limited palette of glass, steel and marble the pavilion expresses ‘modernity’, what’s quite striking is its simplicity and beauty.
