Antoni Gaudi

Imagination and inspiration for public consumption

Hopefully, yesterday was a good day. Yesterday was good for me in the following way. It is (was?) the 172nd birthday of Antoni Gaudí, an architect whose brilliance continues to inspire awe.

A Catalan, Gaudí wasn't your typical architect. In many ways he was the original Robert Venturi. Dismissing the classical archetypes and elements. Instead of using these staples; he craved and practiced innovation.

His journey began humbly, designing lamp posts.

Here is one:

Even in a traditionally ordinary object, the uniqueness of Audi’s design instincts shine through, transforming the mundane into high art.

The Mudéjar were Muslims who remained in Spain (aka Iberia) in the late medieval period following the Christian reconquest. Early Gaudi projects like Casa Vicens took inspiration from Mudéjar, but built away and up from there, reimagining them with a whimsical and modern tone:

This architectural spirit continued into The Episcopal Palace in Astorga with again starts with something undeniably Gothic and then goes from there.

I don’t want to get too meticulous in this, so let’s focus on perhaps the biggest relationship in Gaudi’s professional life, his friendship with Eusebi Güell. Güell's patronage allowed Gaudí the freedom to fully explore his burgeoning architectural language.

Buildings like The Parc and Palau Güell, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà are explosions of color and whimsy.

But Gaudí's magnum opus, the Sagrada Família, stands supreme. Begun in 1883, it's highlighted by the basilica, a masterpiece of stained glass and spires.

Tragically, Gaudí's life was cut short in 1926. Yet, even with only 17 completed structures, his legacy is undeniable. He transformed his beloved Barcelona, leaving behind a collection of architectural wonders that continue to inspire and enchant.

What resonates about Gaudi is his courage and confidence, to be different and to create his own architectural language.

Having a vision is good. Realizing that vision is even better.