June 2024: Antoni Gaudí: The Architectural Pioneer of Nature-Inspired Design

President’s Message:

Remembering my Art History classes at Orange Coast College back in the ’80s, I recall one of my favorite and most talented artists and architects, Antoni Gaudí from Spain. Recently, his work reemerged in my research for a particular project, and I wanted to share it with you. If you have ever traveled in Europe, you will appreciate the grandiose architecture and gardens. It’s hard to fathom how these magnificent creations were thought of and constructed in the 1800s. It makes me wonder how limitless we have become in our creativity here in the U.S. Gaudí was born in 1852 and was known as the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism. It is unfathomable to understand how someone could manifest such a portfolio of work and have it constructed in the 1800s. His work is incredibly interesting to me. His work was influenced by his passions in life: architecture, crafts, and carpentry. He transcended mainstream architecture, specializing in organic styles inspired by natural forms, which is why his work is so intriguing in the interior landscaping world. Nature was a huge influence on his work. Interestingly, Gaudí rarely drew detailed plans of his work; instead, he created three-dimensional scale models and molded the details as he conceived them. A true genius, his work has become timeless. His masterpiece, the still-incomplete Sagrada Família, is the most visited monument in Spain.

What I love about his work, which you see instantly upon visiting his creations, is his deep appreciation for his native land and his Mediterranean heritage. He studied nature and spent a lot of time outdoors, especially during the summers at the Gaudí family home. At the age of 27, Gaudí explored southern France through the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya, often riding horseback or walking many miles in a day. He suffered from very poor health, including rheumatism, which makes his accomplishments even more astonishing.

He studied art throughout his youth in Spain. His challenges were incredible, yet he persevered. He completed his military service as an administrator because of his illnesses, which enabled him to continue his studies. His mother and brother died very young. Gaudí studied architecture and graduated in 1878. He also studied French, History, Economics, Philosophy, and Aesthetics. Ironically, his grades were average, and he occasionally failed courses. When handing him his degree, the director of the Barcelona Architecture School said, “We have given this academic title either to a fool or a genius. Time will show.” I can relate to this, as although I got my certificate in Interior Design, I also took every business and horticulture class I could fit into my evenings while still running my business during the day in the early years.

Well, time did show. His first project was the lampposts he designed for the Plaça Reial in Barcelona. He then gained wider recognition for his first important commission, the Casa Vicens. His other commissions included the Güell wine cellars, Palau Güell, and El Capriccio. His most famous and absolutely incredible work, in my humble opinion, is the Barcelona church called Basilica I Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, which relied solely on private donations. Gaudí completely changed the initial design and created his own distinctive style. From 1915 to his death, he devoted himself entirely to this project. It is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. It stands 566 feet tall, has many stunning spires, a very special spiral staircase, and many architectural wonders inside and out. It will literally take your breath away with its majesty and awe. Another favorite feature is the hyperboloid vault, taken from nature. The pillars and branches symbolize trees rising up to the roof.

The Sagrada Família’s construction progressed slowly and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War. Revolutionaries set fire to the crypt and broke into the workshop, partially destroying Gaudí’s original plans, drawings, and plaster models. This led to 16 years of work to piece together the fragments of the master model. Construction resumed in the 1950s, aided by new technologies and computer-aided designs. However, some of the project’s greatest challenges remain today, including the construction of ten more spires, each symbolizing an important Biblical figure in the New Testament. It is anticipated that the building will be completed by 2026, the centenary of Gaudí’s death. Gaudí never saw this masterpiece completed; in fact, it was only one-third complete when he died.

Today, 142 years later, it is still standing, and it is breathtaking. I hope you now have an understanding and appreciation of the talent, resilience, and perseverance that this took, which is truly unimaginable. A true inspiration, and I hope one day you can witness its glory in person.