Casa Vicens

The first building to be designed by the world-famous Antoni Gaudí is still in private ownership, but there’s nothing to stop you from admiring its fabulous exterior from the street. In its flowing lines and ornate decoration you can trace the first shoots of the young architect’s developing style.

Gaudí broke all the architectural conventions when he started work on Casa Vicens, built between 1883 and 1889. Situated in a quiet street in the elegant residential district of Gracia, the flamboyantly embellished façade features all the iconic Gaudí design tropes of exotic flower motifs, glazed tiles in a range of bright hues, and influences from oriental, Hispanic and Arabic cultures.

Gaudí had only just left college when he was commissioned by the wealthy industrialist Manuel Vicens to design his new family home. Vicens was the owner of a brick and tile factory, so this had a bearing on the young architect’s choice of building materials. The yellow tiles with their eye-catching design of zinnia flowers were manufactured specially by Vicens for the project. The intricately patterned gables and buttresses of the upper floors prefigure the Moorish style which was to become one of Gaudí’s most recognisable trademarks.

Gaudí’s notorious attention to detail is also in evidence in this early venture. Even the blinds and air vents have been carefully incorporated into the overall design, while the sinuous ironwork on the balconies and the striking palm tree motif on the garden fence further extend the theme.

Casa Vicens remains in private ownership, but its owners are usually tolerant of visitors admiring this work of art from the street and taking discreet photographs of the exterior. The interior is chronicled in various books on Gaudí’s work available from numerous outlets around Barcelona, including Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló.

To reach Casa Vicens, take the metro to Fontana, near to Parc Güell, from where it is a two-minute walk, or catch a bus on Avinguda del Príncep d’Astúries.