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Up to date: fifth September 2023
Barcelona is among the finest cities to go to in Spain for good motive. The Catalan capital serves up the whole lot you want for the proper metropolis break: central sandy seashores, acclaimed foods and drinks, a clutch of world-class museums and a number of the most inventive and distinctive structure on the planet. And for that, we should thank Antoni Gaudí – the mastermind behind a number of the metropolis’s most well-known points of interest.
Of these, one actually stands out in sharing the story of the late architect: Casa Batlló. Whereas not as huge as Park Güell or as imposing as La Sagrada Familia, the intricate consideration to element and eccentric touches inside this remodelled and lately renovated household residence left me in awe. A way more intimate expertise than the hovering ceilings of the cathedral, right here I actually felt in a position to perceive the influences and (some) of the interior workings of Gaudí’s visionary creative thoughts.
And since 2022, that job has turn out to be slightly simpler for guests, due to a forward-thinking interactive expertise that brings Casa Batlló to life like by no means earlier than. From multimedia projections sharing Gaudï’s childhood inspirations to new modern installations crafted by worldwide artists, a tour of this attractive house is rather more than simply seeing – however why is that this residence wedged between two moderately bland facades so essential?
Antoni Gaudí’s architectural imprint in Barcelona
With greater than a dozen of Gaudí’s architectural wonders dotted round Barcelona, the legacy of the good Catalonian structure greater than lives on within the metropolis. Of those, some have earned Unesco standing, and a trio of central marvels, specifically, are staples on any go to to Spain’s second metropolis: La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and, in fact, Casa Batlló.
However to grasp why this residence on Passeig de Gràcia, one of many metropolis’s most elegant boulevards, has turn out to be so intricately linked to the architect, we’ve got to hint his life and research – for Casa Batlló was truly initially constructed by one in every of his professors, Emilio Sala Cortés.
Gaudí was born in 1852 in Reus, Spain (south of Barcelona, close to Tarragona), and his ardour for design is alleged to have been nurtured in his father’s workshop. Nonetheless, attributable to poor well being in his youth, he would spend lengthy intervals caught inside, and this window is commonly cited as when a lot of his curiosity in nature and shapes was shaped. After shifting to Barcelona, Gaudí began his structure research correct, the place his inventive and distinctive concepts blossomed. Shortly after graduating, commissions of all sizes arrived, leading to most of the quite a few architectural masterpieces that also stand – and in maybe probably the most well-known case, are nonetheless being accomplished – at the moment.
The remodelling of Casa Batlló by Gaudí in a modernist fashion happened between 1904 and 1906. By then, it had been bought to the Batlló household and was not owned by his former professor. With the liberty to revamp the constructing at his whim, Gaudí created one thing actually particular inside – and certainly, exterior – these partitions. Maybe it was that freedom that made me really feel like the house was rather more linked to the architect himself as I explored the numerous marvellous rooms.
That’s to not say the constructing hasn’t advanced and altered over the century since, and varied changes have occurred. And so, it’s moderately becoming that final yr, on the a hundred and seventieth anniversary of Gaudí’s delivery, Casa Batlló once more sought a brand new inventive approach to current the house to guests.
Casa Batlló’s new award-winning interactive expertise
Combining the unique visionary works of Antoní Gaudí with fashionable artists, akin to architect Kengo Kuma (most well-known for his work on Japan’s Olympics or in Kochi) and modern-media inventive Refik Anadol, Casa Batlló’s new expertise has taken inventive, daring steps.
On the 75-minute interactive tour, you’ll stroll via a few of Gaudí’s grandest creations in the home: The Noble Ground with its butterfly-like home windows, the ‘Dragon’s Stomach’ hallway, the lately restored Predominant Corridor, the blue tiled lightwell, and the cityscape views from the fanciful rooftop. However all of that is accompanied by loads of new interactive touches, weaving in Gaudí’s inspiration en route.
Ranging from the absolutely immersive ‘Gaudí Dôme’, the place the architect’s childhood inspiration of nature envelops the house, via to Refik Anadol’s 360-degree enveloping lightroom, the ‘Gaudí Dice’, the whole lot has been designed to please the senses. Anadol can also be the mastermind behind the ‘Dwelling Structure’ presentation, projected onto Casa Batlló by night time.
Different highlights embody Kengo Kuma’s shimmering rain-like descent to the basement, which brings one other inventive aspect to the dwelling’s story, as does Dani Howard’s compositions, together with her soundtrack accompanying the tour. Augmented Actuality Tablets improve the expertise by offering interactive and informative content material, and by the tip of the expertise, you received’t simply really feel such as you’ve visited Casa Batlló however maybe inside a part of Gaudí’s genius thoughts, too.
Plan your go to to Casa Batlló
Tickets will be introduced on-line upfront by way of the official web site, and you may benefit from the 75-minute expertise every day throughout visiting hours: 9 AM to eight PM, with the ultimate entry at 7:15 PM. Entry for kids as much as 12 years is complimentary.
All through the summer time months, ‘Magic Nights’ are hosted, which embody a go to to Casa Batlló, adopted by a night live performance.
After visiting Casa Batlló and a few of Gaudí’s different well-known websites, don’t overlook to try to hunt down a few of Spain’s hidden gems too – this architect’s designs might need primarily been restricted to Catalonia. Nonetheless, he has a few different works across the nation, together with in León, Spain.
