The Google Doodle in honour of architect Antoni Gaudí
Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, most famous for creating landmarks in Barcelona, such as the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, has been bestowed with a colourful Google Doodle today on what would have been his 161st birthday. The doodle is bursting with colour and vitality to reflect Gaudí’s expressive and modernist architectural style.
Born on 25 June 1852 in Reus in the Catalonia region of Spain, Gaudí is perhaps most famous for being a figurehead of architectural modernism in the country.
The doodle on Google’s homepage today aims to depict Gaudí’s groundbreaking style.
A tour around Barcelona reveals his most exuberant architectural designs – namely the still unfinished Sagrada Família church.
Based on the Latin cross, work on th Sagrada Família had been started by architect Francesc de P. del Villar in 1882 in Gothic revival style. Gaudí then took over the reins to add his modernist style to the church.
This unfinished masterpiece lures in tourists in their droves each year, eager to get some insight into the mind of the architectural genius.
Seven of Gaudí’s works have been designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO to honour his contribution to the development of architecture and building typology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
These seven sites are Parque Güell; Palacio Güell; Casa Mila; Casa Vicens; Gaudí’s work on the Nativity façade and Crypt of La Sagrada Familia; Casa Batlló; and Crypt in Colonia Güell.
Barcelona’s master architect
Antoni Gaudí on 15 March 1878. Image via Gaudi and Barcelona Club
Often termed ‘God’s architect’ as a result of his Roman Catholic leanings, Gaudí died on 10 June 1926.
His death was a tragic and untimely one when he fell under a tram, leaving Barcelona with an unfinished Sagrada Família and the world with the loss of an architectural visionary.
Aerial view of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain. Photo via the Facebook page Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Additional information on Gaudí obtained from UNESCO.
