Have you ever taken a walk outside and noticed the shapes of trees, flowers, and rocks?
Antoni Gaudì spent a lot of time in nature, and from his observations, learned to love curves. Can you imagine an architect who didn’t like to use straight lines in his work?
In designing buildings and structures, Gaudì borrowed from nature to create columns that look like trees and walkways that mimic rivers.
He didn’t like to draw his ideas, though. Instead, Gaudì made 3D models of the designs so he could see them from every angle.
You can find his interesting architectural designs in Barcelona, Spain. Two of the most famous are
Park Guëll
and the Sagrada Famìlia church.
All around Barcelona, you can find other examples of his work, including the decorative lampposts in the square off La Rambla called Plaça Reial. When he graduated from the Barcelona Architectural school, that was his first project.
But he didn’t stop there. Gaudì imagined and designed incredible artistic works featured throughout the city. Eight of his works are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Gaudì also loved to use natural materials in his work and incorporated local stone into many of his designs, including the roads in Park Guëll.
Many of his projects feature pieces of broken tile arranged in beautiful mosaics to decorate his works, making Gaudì a master of recycling. This technique of creating new decorations from old smashed ceramics is called trencadìs (the broken tile.)
Other decorations using wrought iron, stained glass, and intricate carpentry adorned his buildings and all used swirling and curved lines he’d observed from his time outside.
When he wasn’t walking around learning from nature or busy creating new architectural designs, Gaudì was trying to improve his health, which was frail from childhood.
His doctor suggested natural remedies, and Gaudì chose to become a vegetarian.
Although his health wasn’t great, Gaudì continued to create masterful architecture throughout his life. One of these projects, the Sagrada Famìlia, is still under construction!
Antoni Gaudì has left us with stunning buildings and a dream of unusual designs that mimic nature.
To celebrate this Catalan architect from Barcelona, you can try the recipes from the eat2explore Spain box! Go meatless with the Tortilla Española!
