Spanish biophilia circa 1890: Barcelona P2

 

This post leans into sustainability concepts in wonderful ways so even if this subject isn't your jam, stay with me.  I promise you'll love the pics and might even be a fan by the end.   If you missed my part 1 of my Barca stay, the touristy post, you can check it out here

Catalan modernism blossomed in the late 19th century.  It seeps into Spanish art, architecture, music, urban planning; everyday life.  It's on display here unlike any major city I've visited to date.  It's magical.  

Today we talk a lot about biophilic design:  incorporating natural elements into urban, build spaces.  The benefits are long proven:  improved creativity, air quality, mental and physical wellness, productivity.  Companies incorporating biophilic design principles - more green space, natural light, fresh air, plants - see higher productivity and employee retention.  The nature infusion benefits individuals in reduced blood pressure, anxiety, stress and fosters a greater sense of well-being.  In my Informa days working on Greenbuild Expo, biophilia was - and remains - a major focus for sustainability in built spaces.

The core tenets of biophilic design and architecture mirror those of Catalan modernism.  This major 21st century architectural priority has been in play in Barcelona for nearly 150 years.  

As we toured Barcelona and binged on all things Gaudi, Business Denise was thinking about all the sustainable urban design experiments Barcelona and Catalan modernists were conducting 150 years ago.  It was a mindset meant to challenge the growing Spanish bourgeois way of life and reinfuse nature into urban living in striking, experimental ways.  

Enjoy the pics and fun sustainability facts.

La Sagrada Familia.  The #1 item on my list to see, and I cannot put into words the experience.  I was awestruck. It's the most important, moving architectural wonder I have even seen in my life.  Enjoy this short Instagram reel for more pics.  The biophilia components

• The basilica's height is intentionally 1m lower than the highest point in Barcelona, Montjuic peak.  Gaudi said no man should build anything taller than what God and nature had put on the earth
• Gaudi's stained glass treatments ensure the main worship area is flooded with a spectrum of color throughout the day
• The major Christian components, most significantly the Passion of Christ, are on the exterior but the interior has minimal Christian elements.  Gaudi wanted the basilica to be accessible to the entire community; a welcoming place of worship for people of any faith
• Gaudi built a small school house adjacent to the basilica so the children of the engineers and architects on site could attend school close to their parents and experience the same design elements their parents were bringing to life in the cathedral

Sant Pau Hospital.  Originally Hospital de la Santa Creu, Sant Pau is located in the Eixample neighborhood where the city invested in many new modernist urban design concepts. Brainchild of Catalan architect Lluis Domènech i Montaner, Sant Pau looks much more like a museum than a hospital, but in fact was still treating patients until 2009!  Blocks from Park Guell (itself a biophilic design experiment which unfortunately didn't stick), it was designed to incorporate the optimal shapes, colors and textures for surgeons and physicians conducting procedures and for patients in recovery.

• the ivory tiled underground tunnels connected the buildings while maintaining the aesthetic
• 19th century research revealed the color pink was the most healing and soothing, thus the pink tiled ceiling in the main patient recovery building
• operating and recovery rooms had curved ceilings with covered tile, two cornerstone modernism design elements, and most buildings were surrounded by small gardens or green space to promote good health and speedy recovery

When the compound was renovated and converted to a school and museum, it adopted a geothermal heating and cooling system. 

La Pedrera is a good example of modernists challenging the growing bourgeois.  Gaudi was commissioned by a "new wealth" couple and given a lot of leeway on his design.  He was keen to incorporate a lot of light and natural feel despite the materials he was asked to use.  His vision resulted in a grossly over budget finished product; Gaudi won a court battle over his fees which he subsequently donated to a convent.

Casa Batllo is another Gaudi wonder.  The original home was designed by one of Gaudi's professors.  The Batllo family commissioned Gaudi to completely renovate the property; demolish the original structure and start from scratch. He convinced the owners to retain much of the original structure and was given full creative license to ensure the home was the most unique on Paseo de Gracia, the street at the heart of Catalan modernism and hot competition between modernist architects.

Today's architects need only look back at the core tenets of Catalan modernism as a source of sustainable design inspiration and practical application.