Gaudi was born in 1852 and came from a family of Boilermakers. Some say that this gave him the spacial awareness that allowed him to visualize and create architectural wonders. We started our dive into all things Gaudi by touring Casa Vicens. This 1883 house was his first project and he went over the top with his plans. One could say that Gaudi's style is "over the top." The combinations of natural forms as part of the support system of the house and as decoration to the house made every square inch a place to explore. When Gaudi got his degree in Architecture the dean said "We awarded the diploma to a madman or a genius. Time will tell." From the abstract sculpture that is the staircase to the fantastic tile work everywhere this place showed Gaudi to be a genius.
The front gate set the stage
This is the side of the house that faces the street, but not the front of the house
M'lady Leslie
Every square inch is covered
Big contrast of the red with the bright tile
A chubby cherub on the ledge
There is Leslie looking up in amazement
From the shutters to the railing on the porch, details details details
I think the mosquitos could get through
Pretty flowers
A grand lamp
A planter?
The actual front of the house
The iron structure in the center is a water feature for the front porch area, behind the wooden blinds. Water flows continuously down over the metal ridges giving off a peaceful sound
You can see droplets on the metal grid
A wooden door
The border along a cieling
The exposed beams and stucco decorations between the beams
A floral pattern
The ceiling with scalloped decorations
The tile was everywhere
Wow!
The sheer detail impresses, plus the ability to visualize it and construct it is genius
Fun stained glass doors
The stairs were white but very oddly constructed
Passion Flowers on the wall, pine cones on the top
Tile flowers imbedded is a plaster wall
This seat is to rest by with access to the outside air
Another ceiling that dazzles
Cabbage anyone?
The throne room
With a regal tub
A typical room...painted plaster walls, ,wood trim, exposed beams and stucco botanical decorative area between the beams, plus a fine electric sconce
A giant mosaic of tile
Different iconic buildings were presented in model form and comparisons were made, contrasts were were discussed
The porch that looks out to the street
Where everybody was taking pictures
A very large room
An informative display was presented on several walls
The original size of the lot and the house
We get to the top
The tiles were so reflective it was hard to look at them without squinting
It was magical
A beautiful gate
A water collecting system
A fun cut away
Loving Spain!
The stairs are very unique
Even the curtain rod has a fancy finial
One last super tile overload blast!
It has been 313 days since we began our Migration
