Antoni Gaudi
In the list of great architects, I think most people would place Gaudi near the top, if not right at the top. His work has to be some of the most original and unique around, and in my opinion makes other architects of the time look like they were constructing storage units. When one thinks of great stone architecture, it is usually something in the neo-classical, classical or gothic genre. However, Gaudi’s work can hardly be described as any of the above…with gothic being the most applicable.
Born in 1852 in Spain, Gaudi later studied architecture at the Escola Superior d’Arquitectura in Barcelona. His work, as mentioned earlier, was based loosely on the gothic style but was so innovative and different that he eventually found his place as leader of the Spanish Art Nouveau movement.
His best work can be found in Barcelona, the city he died in, in 1926. These buildings are, the Casa Batllo, the Casa Mila, Colonia Guell, Park Guell and, of course, the famous, and still unfinished Sagrada Familia. It is hoped that the Sagrada Familia (the place where Gaudi spent the last few years of his life living in the crypt) will be finished for 2026. This would be the 100th year anniversary of Gaudi’s death and there would be some sense of poetic justice to it.
The reason for its lengthy completion is due, in part, to the original blueprints having been destroyed during the Spanish Civil War in 1938. It is virtually impossible for the workers to complete the church in the same fashion that Gaudi would have wanted it and it is easy to spot the newer additions to the building. However, the fact they are going to complete it is an honour to the man and an honour to his legacy.