Lluís Domènech i Montaner (1850-1923)
Prominent architect of the Catalan Renaixença, one of the major influences of the Modernisme (Art Nouveau) of the period. His fame is generally overshadowed by that of his contemporary, Antoni Gaudí i Cornet. Domènech i Montaner is best known for the extravagant and beautiful Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, which lies on the city's Ruta de Modernisme.
Selected Works:
Casa Thomas (Barcelona)
Museu de Zoologia
- in the Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona
- originally a cafe-pavilion for the World Exhibition of 1888
- http://www.museuzoologia.bcn.es/home.htm
Editorial Montaner i Simón
- Domènech i Montaner's first major work (1879)
- Carrer Aragó, 255, Barcelona
- now serves as the Fundació Tapies, a cultural center named after the Catalan painter
Hospital de Sant Pau
- Carrer Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, Barcelona
- construction began in 1902
- composed of several pavilions
- http://www.santpau.es/
Palau de la Música Catalana
- Carrer de Sant Pere Mes Alt, 11, Barcelona
- opened in 1908 as the headquarters for the Orfeo Català, a Catalan musical society and choir; the Catalan coat of arms appears in various places in the building
- recently restored
- www.palaumusica.org
Institut Pere Mata
- Carretera de l'Institut Pere Mata, s/n, Reus
- designed and built 1897-1912
- psychiatric hospital - interiors of most pavilions have been adapted to modern medical needs
- the original six pavilions were augmented by another eight built by Domènech i Montaner's son, Pere Domènech Roura, although the newer pavilions are different in style
Casa Navàs (Reus, 1900)
Domènech i Montaner studied at the Escuela de Arquitectura de Madrid (1870-73). He was awarded prizes for best building of the year by the Ayuntamiento Barcelonés in 1903, 1905, and 1912. His buildings make extensive use of decorative elements like mosaics, tile, colored glass, and sculpture, often with an emphasis on natural light.