Gaudi, the famous architect, lived from 1852 to 1926.

When I popped up from the Metro (subway) and saw the Sagrada Familia it took my breath away in its sheer verticality.  I saw it first from the Nativity Facade, the East side, of the jaw dropping, melting, and enormous church.  This is the only facade that Guadi completed in his life time.  The front of the church, the Passion Façade, was finished by Joseph Maria Subirach.  It is very angular in its depiction of scenes.  The features look like they stepped right out of a Star Wars’ movie.  The inside of the church is immense.  The angular pillars look like huge tree trunks ending in a kaleidoscope of color and light.

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We also visited the home Casa Batllo.  It is all curves and playful colors.  From the outside it is often called the house of bones or the house of the dragon as you can see both in its facade.  Inside is all curvaceous and well lit.

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1.  Did you know the word gaudy came from the designer Guadi?  You might appreciate gaudiness more once you learn more about the designer.

2.  Sagrada Familia is the most visited monument in Spain.  It has been under construction for over 100 years.  It is financed by private donations and ticket sales.  Guadi had a long term vision and built the nativity facade first to encourage financial support.  He said his client – God, is in no hurry.  He’s a strategic thinker.

3.  Guadi got his inspiration from nature.  He said, “Nothing is invented, it’s written in nature. “

• The internal church facade was inspired by trees.

• He used gravity to inspire the parabolic design of the Nave.  In the museum you can see a model of hanging strings looked at via a mirror that galvanized the design.

• Casa Batllo has an obvious motif of water in its droplets, curves, circles and colors.

  4.  Gaudi was a micro manager. He lived in the Sagrada Famalia for over ten years watching over ever detail of its construction.  In the Casa Batllo he designed everything from the doors to the furniture. The two light wells allow natural light in throughout the home.  I must mention Steve Jobs this week.  He was also a micro manager.

  5.  Gaudy was a recycler.  He reused objects often collecting materials from other construction sites.  The grouped chimneys on the roof are covered with waste ceramic pieces.

• Be gaudy, it's ok.

• Be a long term thinker.

• Let nature inspire you.

• Micro manage from time to time.

• Create beautiful things from recycled objects.

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Annemarie & Betty in Spain