Casa Batlló joins the international project “Gaudí: Windows on the Future,” an initiative led by the Japanese company YKK AP to mark the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death in 2026. This global project, promoted by YKK AP—an international leader in architectural solutions—explores the architect’s creative universe through one of the most significant elements of his work: the window, serving as a symbol of innovation, connection, and openness to the future.
As part of this international program, YKK AP is collaborating with Casa Batlló to launch the “Gaudí Window Nights” initiative. Through this partnership, the monument will offer 1,800 free tickets during the month of June (from the 1st to the 30th) for the sponsored 7:15 PM time slot. This initiative aims to bring Gaudí’s heritage to new audiences during a particularly significant year for the city, coinciding with Gaudí Year 2026, the World Capital of Architecture, and the Catalonia-Japan Year.
Invitations can be reserved through the Casa Batlló website starting May 14th. To receive the link, you must subscribe to the newsletter. Casa Batlló Newsletter.
Furthermore, as part of this collaboration, Casa Batlló will host a pop-up exhibition linked to the project Gaudí: Windows on the Future, where visitors can discover new perspectives on Gaudí’s creativity, with a special focus on the design of his windows as a key element of his architecture. The installation will include audiovisual content, reproductions, and materials that delve into the architect’s creative process.
This same space will exclusively offer the book Gaudí: Windows on the Future, published by Triangle Books and produced by YKK AP. This volume presents the first comprehensive overview of the windows designed by Gaudí, combining photography, design materials, and expert essays to invite reflection on the future of architecture. Additionally, each purchase will include a special gift inspired by this architectural element.
The Gaudí Project: Windows on the Future, conceived and developed by YKK AP as part of its commitment to architectural culture and social contribution, has an international dimension that connects Barcelona with Japan. The main exhibition is being held at Palau Güell (Barcelona), a UNESCO World Heritage site, until October 25, 2026, and will continue in Japan with exhibitions in Tokyo and subsequently in Toyama. The program also includes a documentary and various activations in other Gaudí heritage sites.
©Pere Vivas－Triangle Books
Presentación de Tadahiro Yoshida, Fundador de YKK AP Inc.
Windows play various roles and functions in architecture: they connect the interior with the exterior and shape both the urban landscape and the appearance of homes. From a historical perspective, they have evolved in line with technological advancements, production systems, and people’s lifestyles. Since the modern era, with the advent of industrial society and the pursuit of economic rationality, windows became standardized, and focus shifted toward optimizing their functions and performance; nevertheless, in the 21st century, windows continue to evolve.
At YKK AP, as members of the YKK Group, we launched our architectural products business for aluminum frames in 1959, leveraging the same materials and technology used in zippers. Today, we offer a wide range of products both in Japan and internationally, spanning from the design to the installation of resin and wooden windows, as well as curtain walls for buildings. Guided by the YKK philosophy, “CYCLE OF GOODNESS®” (“No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”), we have defined our purpose as “building a better society through Architectural Products.” As a “company that thinks about windows,” we go beyond
For many years, knowledge regarding windows was not systematically documented. In 1995, in collaboration with Professor Vittorio Magnago Lampugnani of ETH Zurich, I published the book *The Architecture of the Window*, which showcases buildings with unique openings and diverse window types from across the globe. Over the past 30 years, YKK AP has explored the material, technical, spiritual, and social significance of windows, spearheading initiatives rooted in the belief that “windows represent civilization and culture.” Notable achievements of these efforts include the promotion of “WINDOWOLOGY”—a multidisciplinary research project—the founding of the Window Research Institute as a public interest corporation, the publication of several books, and various sponsorship programs.
To date, we have conducted extensive research into windows, yet we believe no other architect has produced a body of work as diverse in this regard as Antoni Gaudí. In Catalonia, between the late 19th and early 20th centuries—a period of rapid industrialization—Gaudí emerged as a preeminent figure of Modernist architecture, designing a vast array of architectural openings. From his earliest projects to his final masterpieces, his work reveals a profound technical and stylistic evolution in structure, materiality, and intricate design, continuing to offer fresh discoveries even today. His relentless drive for self-transformation and his inexhaustible creative quest remain a vital source of inspiration for generations of architects and designers.
YKK AP has continuously collected and disseminated multidisciplinary knowledge regarding Gaudí’s openings. In 2026—a year that commemorates the centennial of Antoni Gaudí’s death, Barcelona’s designation as the UNESCO World Capital of Architecture, and the city’s hosting of the UIA World Congress of Architects—we are presenting the results of our research as part of a comprehensive project. This initiative is dedicated to contributing to international architectural culture through exhibitions, publications, and educational outreach activities.
The objective of this book is to offer a vision for the future of architecture through the creative and innovative lens of Gaudí. To this end, we have gathered contributions from renowned specialists, academics, architects, art historians, critics, artists, and professionals involved in the construction of his buildings, each offering their unique perspective. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to all the individuals and organizations who have participated in this project.