Casa Batlló is a building in the center of Barcelona
Like everything Gaudí designed, it is only identifiable as Modernisme or Art Nouveau in the broadest sense.
The ground floor, in particular, has unusual tracery, irregular oval windows and flowing sculpted stone work. There are few straight lines, and much of the façade is decorated with a colorful mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles (trencadís).
The roof is arched and was likened to the back of a dragon or dinosaur.
A common theory about the building is that the rounded feature to the left of centre, terminating at the top in a turret and cross, represents the lance of Saint George (patron saint of Catalonia, Gaudí’s home), which has been plunged into the back of the dragon.
Pioneer of recycling
Trencadís, a type decoration with of broken mosaic, is a fundamental element in Gaudí’s work, especially on the façade of Casa Batlló. Created through pieces of broken glass and tile, it was one of the architect’s preferred techniques due to its sustainability and aesthetic value. At the House, it is one of the main decorative elements resulting in the light and colour emanating from the façade. Gaudí, a visionary, sought beauty in balance with nature
