populuxe

I don't want to bore you with my vacation photos but we did see some really amazing architecture in Europe. I think you design and architecture fans might find these photos quite interesting. We spent two weeks in Europe. First, we went to Barcelona, Spain. We were completely astounded by the architecture of Antoni Gaudi. I have never seen architecture like this before. He was truly a genius!

It is hard to describe his architecture. The buildings were like Art Nouveau meets Star Wars. Like something you would see on another planet or from another time. He didn't believe in straight lines or blueprints. He was very hands-on during the building process. His buildings are very curvy and biomorphic. From far away, it looks like a beautiful, unusual building, but when you look closer you find a balcony that looks like a skull, or a column that looks like a tree. Wow! I can't believe he got funding to make buildings like these. He lived during the early 1900's. He was truly an eccentric, he walked around looking like a bum, wearing tattered clothing. Unfortunately, he was hit by a tram and no one recognized him. He was taken to a pauper's hospital where he died. This was during the construction of his masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia.

Sagrada Familia

Interior of Sagrada Familia

It is a gorgeous, bizarre, futuristic looking church. Because of his unconventional building designs and methods of construction, the church is still being built. Completion is planned for 2026. Good luck!

more photos after the jump

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Casa Batllo

Park Guell

Casa Mila Rooftop