Lost Gaudí Building Confirmed in Spain
Spanish authorities have confirmed that a remote forest building in La Pobla de Lillet was designed by architect Antoni Gaudí. The confirmation followed a detailed analysis by experts, adding a new, lesser-known work to the famed architect's portfolio and offering a new destination for design and architecture enthusiasts.
- The building, known as Xalet de Catllaràs, was commissioned by industrialist Eusebi Güell, a major patron of Gaudí's work, to house engineers and technicians working in the nearby Catllaràs coal mines. - The confirmation was the result of a scientific study led by Galdric Santana Roma, director of the Gaudí Chair at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, which identified geometric and structural evidence consistent with Gaudí's methods. - The study revealed that while Gaudí designed the project between 1901 and 1908, he did not oversee its construction, which led to deviations from his original plans. This is likely why Gaudí never publicly claimed the work as his own. - Key architectural features that link the building to Gaudí include the use of funicular arches, specific types of vaults, and the 45-degree placement of interior walls—techniques that were unique to Gaudí at the time. - Located at an altitude of 1,371 meters, the chalet has a distinctive triangular or pyramid-like shape. - The building has undergone significant alterations over the years; for instance, a characteristic spiral staircase was removed during a renovation in 1971 when it was converted into a summer camp house. - The confirmation of the Xalet del Catllaràs is part of the official "Gaudí 2026" commemorations, marking the centenary of the architect's death. - The interior of the chalet is currently undergoing restoration and is not open to the public, though the exterior can be visited.
