AYRE HOTEL ROSELLÓN****

Antoni Gaudi i Cornet, Life and Works

Born 25 June 1852, although the exact location is unknown, since no document is not preserved as specified, there is a dispute between Reus and Riudoms, Still, in most Gaudí documents, both of his student as in those of his professional time, listed as born in Reus. However, Gaudi himself said several times that it was Riudoms, birthplace of his paternal family. It was a Spanish architect, leader of the Catalan Modernism. He had a great innate sense of geometry and volume, and much imagination (mentally projecting the works prior to translate them into the paper.)

Gaudí conceived his buildings as a whole. Structure to the smallest detail of his creations integrating ceramics, wrought iron, glass, carpentry as well as his famous "trencadís. All his work is marked by what were his four great passions in life: architecture, nature, religion and love for Catalonia.

Gaudi's work has reached over time with a wide international circulation, with countless studies devoted to his understanding of architecture. Today he is admired by professionals and the public in general: the Holy Family is now one of the most visited monuments in Spain.

Between 1984 and 2005 seven of his works have been considered a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

To pay for her career, Gaudí worked as a draftsman for various architects and builders.

His first projects were the street lights to the Royal Plaza, the Kiosk project unrealized Girossi and Cooperativa Obrera Mataronense. With his first major commission, Casa Vicens, Gaudí begins to acquire a reputation, and receives commissions increasingly larger.

At the Exposition Universelle of 1878 presented a showcase for Gaudi glove-Comella. The design impressed the Catalan industrialist Eusebi Güell, on his return, he contacted the architect to pray for several projects he had in mind. Thus began a long friendship and fruitful patronage that gave rise to some of the best works of Gaudí: the Bodegas Güell Pavilions Güell, Palau Güell, Park Güell and the Crypt in Colonia Güell. It was related to the Marquis de Comillas, father of Count Güell, for he made El Capricho de Comillas.

In 1883 he agreed to be responsible for continuing work on the newly launched Expiatori Temple of the Sagrada Familia. Gaudi completely altered the original plan, making his work, known and admired throughout the world. From 1915 he devoted himself almost entirely to this project, until he died.

Between 1904 and 1910 built the Casa Batllo and Casa Mila, two of his most emblematic works.

On June 9, 1926 was hit by a tram and died the next day, at 74 years of age in the prime of his career.

In 1936, during the course of the Spanish Civil War, was assaulted Gaudí's workshop in the Holy Family, destroying large numbers of documents, drawings and models of modernist architect.

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