The Crossroads of Engineering and Art: Antoni Gaudi

Antoni Gaudi is widely revered as one of the architectural catalysts that shaped Barcelona as we know it today. Active between the 1880s and the 1920s, Gaudi was an architect for the bourgeoisie which granted him the opportunity to use radical control and experimental methods. This marked the beginning of the modernisme movement in Spain, which is Catalan modernism. 

When Gaudi started his experimentation, Spain was dominated by the neoclassical architecture style of the 18th and 19th centuries. Neoclassicism is essentially the opposite of Gaudi’s style, as it emphasized functionality, rigidity, and a return to Roman classical architecture. Gaudi rejected this rigidity and utilized nature, organic shape, color, and materiality to create a new hybridization of art and engineering. 

Gaudi’s dedication to functionality did not interfere with his dedication to nature as an inspiration. All of his buildings are organically shaped, often to mirror the mountains and oceans that surround Barcelona. The stone that clads his famous works tend to be sourced from either Mont-Juic or Montserrat and coupled with mosaics made of tiles or broken ceramic. By bringing together organic movements and materials with functionality and creative engineering, Gaudi changed the architectural landscape of Barcelona for good. 

The mix of materials and colors improved the quality of life in Spain as well. Utilizing color in architecture, especially in urban contexts, has been shown to improve mood and consequentially, the atmosphere of the area. People feel more welcome and comfortable in more familiar surroundings, which is why using natural shapes and locally sourced materials significantly improves the wellbeing of the surrounding population.