[ARCHITECTURE] Casa Batll�, Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona, Spain

Gaudi's Casa Batll� in Barcelona, Passeig de Gr�cia, front view

The first time I've been to Barcelona I have seriously fallen in love with this city's architecture. It was a short stay, but this year I took another trip and I had the time to discover all the places I have initially missed. Casa Batll� was on my list the first time around, but I burned through my budget way too fast, so this time this was the first place I saw after I got off the plane. The 21.5 euro ticket to visit the house was worth it completely.

Interior court created to sustain ventilation and increase light within the house

 To the inexperienced eye, it can appear as if Antoni Gaudi was seriously messed up. Well, something was definitely different with this guy, and Sagrada Familia, Casa Batll�, Casa Padrero and Park Guelle, to name just a few of the buildings Gaudi designed, make a huge statement in favor of unique and surreal design combined with modernism and functionality. Think about it. The architect came up with a natural ventilation system through a skylit central court within the house itself, providing light, ventilation and keeping the indoor protected against rain. Oh and not to mention he managed to incorporate all that with an insane architecture, heavily inspired by intricate and insanely beautiful nature forms.

Casa Batll� interior court, upstairs view

Casa Batll� is considered to be a premier modernist building, with an architecture style that harmoniously finds balance in the small area where the gothic, the traditional and the modern styles thrive to the surprise of the eye. Balconies appear as skulls and bonnes, creating texture and curve that breaks through the ordinary urban landscape. Colors chosen for the facade of the building are inspired by natural coral colors, whereas most shapes are inspired by marine life.

Interior view of the large front window, Casa Batll�

Interior view of the large front window, Casa Batll�

Exterior detail of Casa Batll�

Bone like structures as balconies on the facade of Casa Batll�

Casa Batll� address:  Passeig de Gr�cia, 43, Barcelona, Spain.

Metro: "Passeig de Gr�cia" (Green Line, L3) Calle Arag�-Rambla Catalunya exit. Look for exit Calle Arag�-Rambla Catalunya.

You can read more about the architecture of Gaudi's Casa Batll� here

Visit the official website of Casa Batll� here