The Gaudí Interiors

I’ve talked about my love for Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí before. My handsome friend, Jeff Huckaby, knows of this adoration and when he returned from his jaunt to Spain, he brought a gift for me – an anthology of Gaudi’s works by Isabel Artigas.  [I love Jeff. Serious love.] As I was reading and poring over the photographs yet again, it dawned on me that while wildly famous for his exteriors, he also never forgot about the interiors.

Casa Battló

The Episcopal Palace of Astorga

Casa Botines (above left) ~ Casa Vicens (above right) ~ Click to Enlarge

Casa Battló (above left) ~ Casa Milà (above right) ~ Click to Enlarge

Casa Milà

The Episcopal Palace of Astorga

I was going to give you a Gaudí overview, but I think I covered it back in 2007.

I believe he is considered Spain’s favorite son in terms of his architecture — it looks like he literally threw out of his head what was accepted form and ended up creating an entirely new style. The new style took the understanding of geometric applications in a new manner, new construction procedures and the finding of materials that would let him physically (and safely) express his creativity. His buildings are different, fun, stop-in-your-tracks-and-stare-with-disbelief kind of designs. Of course, they are not the most practical looks but really we have about 80+ years (if we’re lucky) in this world? Might as well give your heart something to rejoice over for a large amount of that time. His work is greatly debated but like it or not, there is no one who can begrudge his genius.

Incredible. As an architect, he used mosaics, ironworks, tile, stone, plaster and paint in unique, groundbreaking ways. Gaudí is just magnificent.