Sunday 25 July 2010

Europe Country 9: Spain (Barcelona) II

27 September 2009

We had a commitment to wear the shirt with "I love Barcelona" together today. 8 of us were now like walking in a gang.

We headed to Casa Batllo, another Gaudi's impressive work. It was my favourite among all Gaudi's bulidings that I visited. It is a building restored by Joseph Maria Jujol and him, built in the year 1877 and remodelled in the years 1904-1906.


The ground floor, in particular, is rather astonishing with tracery, irregular oval windows and flowing sculpted stone work.

The main flat stands out for the curve lines of its walls and ceilings, that generate shapes like the whirlpool on the main roon ceiling.
The roof is arched and was likened to the back of a dragon or dinosaur. A common theory about the building is that the rounded feature to the left of centre, terminating at the top in a turret and cross, represents the sword of Saint George, which has been plunged into the back of the dragon.

pic: A very special heater in the house

pic: Gaudi emphasized good air ventilation in the building

The central patio well was designed with glazed surface which increases further down it goes, in order to make the most of the natureal light comin in.
There was entrance fee charged. Three of us were not interested in this visit so they waited us outside.

We next visited Casa Mila/La Pedrera. It was built for the married couple, Rosario Segimon and Pere Mila.

The patio well projects out from the main floor right up to the higher floors breaks the circular silhouette of this interior patio well, which measures 90 metres square. The size of the windows gets arger the lower down the window is in the patio well, which means that more natural light wil reach lower floors.
pic: picture sourced from wikipedia
On the roof, Gaudi perfected the aesthetic proposals that had already been suggested in Guell Palace and Casa Batllo. Chimneys, ventilation towers and stairwells go beyond their function becoming sculptures of disturbing form.

pic: The city of Barcelona seen from the roof

Reference:

1) www.wikipedia.com

2) Visual Guide to the complete work of architect AntoniGaudi, published by Dos De Arte Ediciones, S.L., Barcelona 2009

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