Casa Batllo and La Pedrera, Barcelona, Spain (April 27-28, 2008)

Antoni Gaudi was born in Reus in 1852 and began his studies in architecture in Barcelona in 1873. He was taught by Elies Rogent and Josep Fontsere in the spirit of the Catalan Renaixanca, and his work helped usher in the Modernist era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Gaudi took inspiration from the shapes, colors and geometry of nature, and he paid particular attention to even the smallest elements of his work, from tile patterns to door knobs.

Gaudi designed a number of buildings for the Barcelona bourgeoisie, including the Casa Battlo and La Pedrera (both pictured below). Other Gaudi constructions in Barcelona include La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell.

The facade of Casa Batllo, restored by Gaudi from 1905 to 1907

Inside the Casa Battlo, with its rounded stained glass windows
Gaudi used catenary arches to form the top floor of Casa Batllo
Gaudi´s signature rooftop designs
La Pedrera, built between 1906 and 1912
The rooftop of La Pedrera