By Christophe Van Der Perre, Nacho Doce and Joan Faus LA POBLA DE LILLET, Spain, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Spanish authorities said on Wednesday renowned modernist architect Antoni Gaudi designed a building
Spain Confirms Antoni Gaudí Designed Remote Catalan Forest Retreat
By Christophe Van Der Perre, Nacho Doce and Joan Faus
Gaudí Authorship Confirmed by Expert Study
LA POBLA DE LILLET, Spain, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Spanish authorities said on Wednesday renowned modernist architect Antoni Gaudi designed a building in a remote forest area of Catalonia, ending speculation over who was behind the project built in the early 20th century.
Gaudi (1852-1926) had long been linked to the Xalet del Catllaras - a three-storey mountain shelter built for workers at a cement factory 125 kilometres (78 miles) north of Barcelona - because the factory was owned by wealthy industrialist Eusebi Guell, for whom Gaudi built several projects.
2023 Commissioned Report and Findings
But there had been no thorough technical and historical analysis to confirm Gaudi's role until authorities commissioned an expert report from a Gaudi scholar in 2023.
Gaudí 2026 Commemorations Context
"What's most important is that it shows the new architectural approach that Gaudi had," said Galdric Santana, the report's author who also chairs commemorative events planned throughout 2026 to mark a century since Gaudi's death.
Design Elements Tying the Work to Gaudí
Santana determined that Gaudi designed the house, built between 1901 and 1908 in the town of La Pobla de Lillet, at the midpoint of his career, because it contains structural elements used only by Gaudi at that time. They include specific types of arches, vaults and rooms separated by walls positioned at 45-degree angles.
Techniques Ahead of Disciples by 10–15 Years
These techniques would not be followed by his disciples until ten or fifteen years later, Santana added.
Comparative Plans, 3D Analysis, Archives
Evidence and Methodology
The scholar said he found geometric, structural and compositional evidence proving Gaudi's authorship after analysing floor plans for other Gaudi buildings, using 3D techniques and examining old documents and photographs.
Before conducting the report, Santana said it was feasible to consider Gaudi might not be the designer given the building's remoteness and the fact that he had several prominent projects underway during those years, including Barcelona's Park Guell and Casa Batllo.
Construction Not Supervised by Gaudí
But he believes Gaudi did not supervise its construction because the completed building was modified from the original plan.
Why the Architect Withheld His Signature
That would explain why Gaudi never publicly acknowledged designing the Xalet, he added. At the time, it was common for architects to withhold their signature from a building if the finished work deviated from the original blueprint.
Other Works Still Unconfirmed
Around ten other works remain unconfirmed as Gaudi designs, Santana said.
(Reporting by Nacho Doce, Christophe Van Der Perre and Joan Faus. Writing by Joan Faus. Editing by David Latona and Mark Potter)
