Episode 8: Milà House

Casa Milà, widely known as La Pedrera, is a unique building. It was constructed at the beginning of the 20th century by the architect Antonio Gaudí after receiving a commission from a Catalan businessman. It was originally intended to be a family residence and rental apartments, although is currently the headquarters of the Catalonia Foundation-La Pedrera, and home to an important cultural center of reference in Barcelona. La Pedrera has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Casa Milà reflects the architect’s great artistry, and is part of his naturalist phase, during which he perfected his personal style, being influenced by nature’s organic forms. We therefore see how the three façades of Casa Milà display a continuity of form and style that, due to the sinuous and winding shape, look like a rock molded by sea waves. This is believed to be the origin of the nickname La Pedrera (The Quarry), although there are several symbolic interpretations concerning the forms of this house. The inward and outward aspects of the façade give the overall building a dynamic feel, creating the sensation of moving, while producing an attractive effect with constantly changing light and shadow, depending on the time of day or the position of the viewer. The balconies are noteworthy due to their algae-like wrought iron railings. If we look at the top of the building, we can see that it is crowned by a terrace where Gaudí put the stairwell exits, chimney and the ventilation towers. Due to their original forms and innovative designs, these create a genuine garden of outdoor sculptures. As a structural feature, it is worth noting that, in La Pedrera, there are no load-bearing walls. The building is supported by pillars and metal beams that form a framework over which the vaults have been built. This structure means that the partitions don’t bear loads and can therefore be positioned wherever desired.
Photo Milà 28-2-12 by Canaan is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0