We are undergoing a new restoration at Casa Batlló, focusing on the courtyard and the back façade of the Batlló family residence. It’s an adventure full of surprising discoveries, where artisans from five different disciplines will work for months to restore the original magnificence of these spaces.
First comprehensive restoration since 1906
Here are the main elements being restored.
Back façade:
-Stucco walls and iron balcony railings.
-Glass trencadís and decorative ceramic elements.
-Wooden windows and balconies.
-Reinforcement of the balconies’ structure, which is severely damaged.
Backyard:
-Stucco on the wall and trencadís on the crown, made of glass and ceramics.
-Jardinières and iron grilles in the backyard.
-Additionally, elements that have disappeared are being reproduced:
-Jardinières that were located next to the lightwells.
-A heather pergola in the shape of a parabola located in the centere of the courtyard.
Original colours hidden by time
The main findings of this restoration are related to colour. Original colours hidden beneath multiple coats of paint have been discovered in various elements:
-In iron railings and the wood of all the windows and balconies.
-In the stucco of the facade and the wall of the courtyard.
-Another surprising discovery is the beam system supporting the balconies, radically innovative for its time. The iron structure is spiral-shaped, something never seen before.
An intimate space for family gatherings
The back façade and the backyard are located next to the dining room of the Batlló family’s residence. This was an intimate space to relax and enjoy evenings with family, surrounded by elements reminiscent of a garden.
A vertical garden of ceramics and glass
Gaudí conceived the backyard façade as a vertical garden of glass, ceramics, and iron. It symbolizes a flowering vine, like a bougainvillea, that climbs up the sides and joins at the top. Additionally, both sides are symbolically connected thanks to the iron balconies, which are undulating and evoke the branches of the plant. This garden concept extends into the backyard, where various jardinières and a spectacular heather pergola designed for shade will be restored.
A thorough research to recover the past
To investigate the original appearance of elements and finishes, various sources have been used:
-Extraction and analysis of samples of mortars, stuccos, and paint finishes from iron and wood elements.
-Original photographs. Some elements are reproduced based on old photographs that provide information about the shape and volumes of the elements.
-Previous knowledge of old restorations. Thanks to these, we know the materials Gaudí used in the rest of the house, as well as his principles of action.
The greatest challenge: capturing Gaudí’s essence
Artistically, the main challenge is to restore the original colours of different elements, which will change significantly. This is how we reach the essence of Gaudí’s design. It is also a significant challenge to reproduce elements that no longer exist, such as jardinières and the pergola. Finally, there are major logistical challenges because we are restoring with the house open to the public, with two restoration teams working in parallel.
The surprising harmony of Casa Batlló
This restoration confirms that nature was Gaudí’s main inspiration. Also, the craftsmanship with which all materials have been treated, the attention to detail, the fusion of beauty and functionality… But perhaps, the most important trait is coherence. The discoveries we have made relate in forms, colours, and materials to the rest of the house. The harmony is total. And over time, as we restore, this harmony grows.
Thanks to the various archives that have provided us with historical images, particularly the Marimón Batlló family archive, for the unpublished photos of the rear façade and its courtyard.