My Favorite Architect: Antoni Gaudí
Antoni Gaudí, born in 1852 in Reus, Catalonia, was one of the most revolutionary and imaginative architects of the modern era (my personal favorite architect). Known for his fantastical use of color, organic forms, and nature-inspired structures, Gaudí’s creations transformed Barcelona into a vibrant dreamscape of art and innovation. His works defy categorization, merging architecture, sculpture, and design into a harmonious and almost otherworldly experience.
Gaudí began his career as a classically trained architect, but his deep interest with nature and spirituality soon led him to forge a style unlike any other. As a key figure in the Catalan Modernisme movement, he rejected rigid lines and conventional design, favoring flowing, organic forms and vibrant mosaics that reflected the beauty of the natural world. Gaudí’s works feel alive—like structures pulled from the earth and shaped by imagination.
Gaudí’s buildings resonate deeply with me for many reasons. I remember the first time I saw Casa Batlló. Its colorful facade seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, the curves of its form flowing like water. It felt less like a building and more like a living organism, full of movement and life. Even now, Gaudí’s creations stir a sense of wonder and curiosity, inviting us to see architecture through a different lens (one that celebrates nature, beauty, and possibility).
Gaudí, Sagrada Família, 1882–Present. Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family.
The Sagrada Família is perhaps Gaudí’s most iconic and ambitious masterpiece. A basilica still under construction after more than a century, it stands as a testament to Gaudí’s vision and devotion.
The exterior of the Sagrada Família is inspiring, its towering spires reaching toward the heavens, adorned with intricate carvings that depict scenes from the Bible. Inside, the space transforms into something ethereal. Columns rise like trees in a forest, branching out to create a canopy that filters sunlight through stained glass windows. Blues, greens, and golds wash over the stone, creating an ever-shifting play of color and light.
What makes this work extraordinary is its seamless connection to nature. Gaudí designed every detail to evoke the harmony of the natural world, from the organic forms of the columns to the spiral staircases resembling seashells.
I can almost imagine myself standing beneath the basilica’s soaring ceiling; I would feel as if I had stepped into a sacred, timeless space—one that transcends architecture and becomes a spiritual experience.
Gaudí, Casa Batlló, 1904–1906. Residential Building.
Casa Batlló, often referred to as the “House of Bones,” is one of Gaudí’s most whimsical and visually striking works. The building’s facade ripples and glows with iridescent tiles, its balconies resembling skeletal forms, and its roof undulating like the back of a dragon.
The interior is equally captivating, with flowing lines, curved walls, and stained glass windows that bathe the space in soft, colorful light. Gaudí’s use of trencadís—a mosaic technique made from broken ceramic pieces—adds texture and vibrancy to the design, turning every surface into a work of art. What I admire most about Casa Batlló is its playfulness and its unapologetic embrace of the fantastical. Gaudí reminds us that architecture can be imaginative, joyful, and utterly unique.
Gaudí, Park Güell, 1900–1914. Public Park and Garden Complex.
Park Güell is Gaudí’s dream of a garden city brought to life. Nestled on a hillside overlooking Barcelona, the park is a riot of color, texture, and form.
At its heart is the iconic terrace, lined with a serpentine bench covered in vibrant trencadís mosaics. From this vantage point, the view of the city unfolds beneath you, framed by Gaudí’s playful architecture. At the entrance, a mosaic lizard—known affectionately as “El Drac”—welcomes visitors, embodying the park’s fantastical spirit.
Exploring Park Güell feels like wandering through a surreal playground. Gaudí designed every path, bench, and structure to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, creating a sense of harmony and delight. The park encourages movement, exploration, and imagination—qualities that make it feel less like a monument and more like a living artwork.
Antoni Gaudí’s art is a celebration of nature, creativity, and the boundless possibilities of human imagination. His ability to merge organic forms, vibrant color, and spiritual symbolism into his works has left an enduring mark on Barcelona and on architectural history.
From the celestial beauty of the Sagrada Família to the playful wonder of Park Güell, Gaudí’s creations are experiences as much as they are structures. His work invites us to linger, to dream, and to see the world with fresh eyes.
To me, Gaudí’s Barcelona is a living dreamscape—a place where buildings breathe, colors dance, and imagination knows no limits. Whether through the sacred light of a basilica or the whimsical curves of a residential house, Gaudí’s art reminds us that beauty is everywhere if we only dare to look. His legacy is not just one of architecture, but of wonder, joy, and an enduring belief in the magic of creation.
