Casa Milà

Casa Milà, popularly known as La Pedrera (“the stone quarry”) was the last private residence designed by Gaudi, built between 1906 and 1912. It was commissioned by the Mila family, at the time controversial because of its unconventional façade, together with a free-plan floor, underground garage and a spectacular terrace on the roof. 

As a child, Gaudi’s health was poor and he had to spend his summers resting at the family’s summer house, which allowed him to deeply study nature. This experience would translate into his work on La Pedrera. 

The building didn’t respect any rules of conventional style, and it was ridiculed for its appearance by the locals. Gaudi however planned for the Casa Milá to be a spiritual symbol, and so overt religious elements were included, such as an excerpt from the Rosary on the cornice. During the process, he was in conflict with the local government which ordered the demolition of elements that exceeded the height standard of the city. 

The house consists of two buildings, structured around two courtyards that provide light to the nine stories. The layout is shaped like an asymmetrical “8” due to the different shapes and sizes of the courtyards. One of the most notable elements is the roof, crowned with skylights, staircase exits, fans, and chimneys, constructed out of brick covered with lime, broken marble, or glass. It’s evident that the design of the roof is a progression based on Gaudi's work with Park Güell, but this time the work is even more innovative, creating shapes and volumes with more body, more prominence, and less polychromasia. On the rooftop there are six skylights, twenty eight chimneys and two half-hidden vents.

The façade is composed of large blocks of limestone, cut to follow the plot of the projection of the model. The windows are of varying sizes to optimise the amount of natural light. 

Casa Milà

Barcelona, Spain