University & College Architecture Trip To Barcelona

Established in 1975, this foundation owns some of the most representative works by the Catalan artist as well as many by other contemporary artists. It contains more than 10,000 pieces including paintings, sculptures, sketches and tapestries. Designed by Josep Lluís Sert, the building has an open-plan structure inspired by traditional Mediterranean styles.

Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the Torre Agbar is a 38-story skyscraper in the Poblenou area of Barcelona. It is a striking structure covered with a façade of glass, and over 4,500 window openings cut out of the structural concrete. It was opened in 2005 at a cost of 130m Euro. Fact: The architect said his design was inspired by the mountain of Montserrat.

Gaudi’s masterpiece, this large, sand-coloured Catholic church has fluid forms, towering spires and surfaces overflowing with sculptures. It is still under construction even though it was started in 1882. Gaudi spent the last 40 years of his life working on this project and it isn’t scheduled for completion until 2026.

Gaudi has let his most whimsical ideas take flight in this enchanting landscaped park, high on a hill in the Gracia district. It contains amazing stone structures, mosaics and fascinating buildings festooned with dragons and natural shapes, plus the spired house where the artist lived for most of his last 20 years.

The Casa Batlló was originally a normal family house in the Eixample district of Barcelona. Antonio Gaudi completely reformed the external and internal features to create a masterpiece that appears to have no straight lines. The roof terrace is shaped like a dragon’s back. The house is locally known as the Casa dels Ossos (House of Bones) due to its skeletal, visceral look. Photo © Jules Antonio.

This museum and cultural centre is dedicated to the life and works of painter, sculptor and art theorist Antoni Tàpies. Born in 1923, he started as a surrealist painter. In 1953 he began working in mixed media, and this is considered his most original contribution to art. The foundation hosts temporary exhibitions, symposia, lectures and film seasons.

‘Peix’ is the Catalan word for ‘fish’, and an appropriate name for the golden fish-like sculpture that looks out over the sea from the Barceloneta district. Created by the architect Frank Gehry for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the stone, steel, and glass structure is 54m long. It sits at the base of the Hotel Arts, one of the city’s tallest buildings.