At a designed life, we try to encourage new design in our everyday lives, but it is just as equally important to have an understanding of where design came from. Most of us have taken hours upon hours of art history (at least if you are like me and went to art school!) and most of it, sadly went in one ear, bounced around and then was never really thought of again. Until now. Periodically, I will add stories, photos and links to famous architecture that has help shape the design world to what we know and love today. Today’s architect, Antonio Gaudi (a personal favorite!!)
Architect and designer Antoni Gaudi may be one of the most recognized artists to come out of spanish architecture. Many who taught over him believed him to be either a genius or completely insane based on his out there ideas and style. Pictured above, Casa Mila, is one of his most recognizable structures. He has been known for his gothic and surrealist shapes and forms, yet when asked to describe Gaudi, its simply Gaudi-ism.
“Do you know where I found my model? An upright tree; it bears its branches and these, in turn, their twigs, and these in turn the leaves. And every individual part has been growing harmoniously magnificently, ever since God the artist created it”- Antoni Gaudi
Park Guell, Barcelona 1900-1914. Gaudi was commissioned to draw up plans for a garden city owned by Eusebi Guell. While this park was not particularly popular, Gaudi himself lived here with his father and niece. Along with the buildings, Gaudi also worked to create the lush vegetation surrounding the properties as well as its walking paths.
Along with architecture, Gaudi also designed his own furniture to go with his one of a kind buildings. He worked with “warped” woods, iron and tiles to create a look that would be fluent with detailed exteriors.
The Sagrada Familia, 1883-1926. Also known as his life’s work, is one of his main works of art. Gaudi studied two main principals in the formation of this building, the curve of the vertical sections as well as the shape of the pillars, creating the vast structure.
To read more on Antoni Gaudi, click here.
