Barcelona: Casa Batló, Part 2

Going up the stairwell.

The stairwell in Casa Batló is impressive and still pristine, 100 years after its creation, Gaudi covered the walls in glazed tiles of varying shades of blue, which are lighter in color at the bottom of the well and darker towards the top, creating an even distribution of light.

Stairwell, upper floor

Stairwell, lower floor

In addition, the windows are smaller towards the top, where more natural light can enter, and are larger as one moves down the stairwell. An elevator is situated in the middle of the stairwell: its fine original wooden cabin is still in use today.

Stairwell below the skylight.

In the attic, the catenary arch that Gaudi often employed.

The attic was originally designed as a service area, to use as storage and laundry rooms. And yet, the elegance of form is obvious, characterized by Gaudi's use of the catenary arch. Catenary refers to the idealized curve shape that a hanging chain assumes, as shown below. Gaudi often used an inverted form of this curve in his architecture.

 

In the attic: a model of the catenary arch.

The roof is shaped in the form of a dragon's back, covered with large iridescent scales. The spine that forms the ornamental top has large pieces of masonry that change colors as you walk from side to side on the roof.

Along the dragon's back.

A bulb-like cross atop the tower.

The spine of the dragon's back.

Watching you!

On the other side of the roof are four groups of curved chimneys, covered with the same type of trencadis glazed mosaics that are on the facade of the house.

Curved chimneys.

Another grouping of chimneys.

Detail of the bulbous tower

The cross atop the tower signals the four directions and the bulbous root-like shape of the tower evokes plant life, a constant inspiration in Gaudi's work. Though the tower was broken while en route for delivery, Gaudi liked the effect of the broken masonry and left it broken.

Casa Batló and Guell Park were my favorite Gaudi sites and both are must-sees when in Barcelona.

For more info and fabulous photos of Casa Batló, check out this site:   Casa Batló

For anyone going to Barcelona this month (April, 2016), there will be a special celebration on April 23rd, the feast of St. George (San Jordi) at Casa Batló and throughout Barcelona.

For more information:
sant-jordi-day-barcelona

Barcelona: Casa Batló, Part 1

After Guell Park, Casa Batló is my second favorite Gaudi site. There is so much to share about this house that I'll do it in several posts. Located on Passeig de Gracia, a prestigious area of Barcelona, this structure was redesigned by Gaudi between 1904-06. Its original appearance was unattractive to the Batló family, but as they liked the location, Gaudi was hired to remodel it. Also known locally as Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), because of the skeletal aspects on the facade, it has many other distinctive features. In 2005, Casa Batló was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Front facade of Casa Mila.

As you can see, the balconies appear to be ghoulish masks, while several large windows are girded by what appear to be bones.

Closer look at the facade and distinctive roof. 

Depending on the time of day, the season or the weather, Casa Batló can appear grey and gruesome or magically alive with color and whimsy.

An even closer look, showing the mosaic overlay.

Pieces of colored glass and ceramic mosaics on the surface of the facade create an undulating effect, as in Monet's water lily paintings, or like ripples on a lake. The large glass discs were made by Gaudi and his collaborator Jujol during their sojourns in Mallorca. The house is awash with curves, swirls and colors that clearly reflect how Gaudi was inspired by his love of nature and the sea. The wooden staircases and doors are nearly all unique and fashioned with exquisite craftsmanship.

Entering the ground floor. 

As at other Gaudi sites, an audioguide is included in the price of admission, giving visitors free rein to spend as much time as they like wandering through the building. Most of the building is used for apartments and offices, but the piano nobile, or main floor, can be viewed, as well as the attic and the roof. Gaudi was inspired by nature, favoring curves to straight lines and the house has an overall organic effect. 

Curved doorways

Curving wood banisters.

Mushroom-shaped fireplace.

Though Casa Mila seems to be more popular with tourists, I found Casa Batló to be far superior and interesting, as it gives a better sense of Gaudi's design style and use of space. It's a wonderland, and every part of it was designed by Gaudì.

Curvy doors.

Swirls on the ceiling evoke ocean waves. 

The shapes of the door handles, banisters and even the skylights were all ergonomically designed.  Gaudi shaped door handles by gripping pieces of clay and then having them cast in metal to fit comfortably in one's hand. 

Curved entrances to all rooms.

The building has a ground floor, a main floor with a terrace/courtyard, four upper floors, an attic and a roof terrace. The stairwell, which goes from the ground floor up to the roof, is a work of art in its own right and will be covered in the next post, along with the attic and roof.

Window in main room, facing Passeig de Gracia.

Dining room, leading to the terrace. 

On the terrace.

Trencadis mosaic on terrace.

More trencadis mosaics.