Restoration of Casa Batlló by Antoni Gaudì – Photo by Claudia Mauriño.

Architecture. Casa Batlló, one of Barcelona’s most beloved landmarks and a true Antoni Gaudí icon, is showing off its vibrant soul once again. After a €3.5 million restoration project led by Xavier Villanueva, the building’s lesser-known rear façade, its elegant Noble Floor courtyard, and lush garden have all been returned to their original splendour—right down to the tiniest mosaic tile. The timing couldn’t be better: this year marks two decades since Casa Batlló was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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First built in 1906, this dreamy residence is one of Gaudí’s most poetic works. It was designed during his mature phase, when he was blending bold structural ideas with intricate ornamentation and a uniquely organic flow of space—hallmarks of Catalan modernisme at its most expressive.

Pergola before the restoration – Photo by Claudia Mauriño.

Over time, though, the building’s back façade had lost much of its punch. Stucco had faded, the famous glass-and-ceramic trencadís mosaics were cracked or missing, and even the balconies were structurally unsound. The restoration team took a meticulous approach, reinforcing iron railings, rebuilding wooden windows and balcony doors, and relaying the mosaic floors. The goal? Bring back Gaudí’s bold vision, with all its colour and detail intact.

Pergola after the restoration – Photo by Claudia Mauriño.

In the Private Courtyard, the work was even more delicate. Planters and a charming parabolic heather pergola—both long vanished—were recreated based on old records. The courtyard’s patterned floor was rebuilt using 85,000 tiny mosaic pieces in the original Nolla style. Every surface was treated with care: iron railings, stucco walls, glass tiles—restored or reproduced using traditional techniques and expert hands.

Restoration process – Photo by Casa Batlló.

One of the most exciting parts? Rediscovering the building’s original colours. “When we found them, we couldn’t believe our eyes,” said Xavier Villanueva, the architect in charge. “The current colours are like the photographic negative of what Gaudí actually created.” This revelation set the tone for the entire project—restoring not just the look, but the spirit of the house.

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Restoration work was split between Casa Batlló itself and artisan studios around Spain, where craftspeople used time-honoured techniques passed down through generations. At the same time, the team brought in cutting-edge tools—like 3D scanning and photogrammetry—to ensure everything aligned perfectly with the original design.

Courtyard before the restoration – Photo by Claudia Mauriño.

And as with any deep dive into a Gaudí building, there were surprises. Among the hidden gems was a previously unknown spiral structure made of brick and iron, and a vaulted support system for the balconies—an ingenious and very Gaudí-esque feat of engineering.

Courtyard after the restoration – Photo by Claudia Mauriño.

With this latest restoration, Casa Batlló feels alive again—breathing with colour, craft, and a deep respect for its creator’s radical imagination.

Restoration process – Photo by Casa Batlló.

Photos are by Claudia Mauriño, David Cardelús and Casa Batlló.

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