Antoni Gaudí - Biography

Antoni Plàcid Guillem Gaudí i Cornet (was born in the province of Tarragona in southern Catalonia, Spain in 25 June 1852 – and died in 10 June 1926) – sometimes referred to by the Spanish translation of his name, Antonio Gaudí – was a Spanish, Catalan architect, who belonged to the Modernisme (Art Nouveau) movement and was famous for his unique style and highly individualistic designs.

Gaudi, as an architecture student at the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura in Barcelona from 1873 to 1877, achieved only mediocre grades but did well in his "Trial drawings and projects".After five years of work, he was awarded the title of architect in 1878.

His Earlier projects are:
1878–1879: Lampposts for the Plaça Reial at Barcelona;
1878–1882: Several designs for the Obrera Mataronense at Mataró.

1883–1885: Casa Vicens;
1883–1885: Villa "El Capricho" at Comillas (Santander);
1884: Finca Güell: Entrance pavillion and stables for the palace at Pedralbes (first completed building for Eusebi Güell);
1884–1891: Completion of the crypt of the Sagrada Família

1885–1889: Palau Güell;
1887–1893: Episcopal palace at Astorga;
1889–1894: Colegio Teresiano;
1891–1893: Outer walls of the absis of the Sagrada Família;
1892–1894: Casa de los Botines at León,
and later: Casa Milà, in the Eixample, Barcelona.

Gaudi was an ardent Catholic, to the point that he devoted his life to Catholicism and his Sagrada Família. He designed it to have 18 towers, 12 for the 12 apostles, 4 for the 4 evangelists, one for Mary and one for Jesus.

On June 7, 1926 Gaudi was run over by a tram. He died three days later. La Sagrada Família his unfinished masterpiece is going to being completed in 2026.

Artistic style

Gaudí's first works were designed in the style of gothic and traditional Spanish architectural modes, but he soon developed his own distinct sculptural style. French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, proved a major influence on Gaudí.

In Gaudi's hanging model a system of threads represents columns, arches, walls and vaults. Sachets with lead shot resemble the weight of small building parts.
Gaudi spent ten years working on studies for the design, and developing a new method of structural calculation based on a stereostatic model built with cords and small sacks of pellets.