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MANILA, Philippines - Who is this Spanish architect who designed Sagrada Familia, one of Barcelona’s most famous churches?
He was born on June 25, 1852 and is known as the Spanish Catalan architect and figurehead of Catalan Modernism. His works reflect his highly individual and distinctive style and are largely concentrated in the Catalan capital of Barcelona, notably his magnum opus, the “Sagrada Família.”
Much of his work was marked by his four life passions: architecture, nature, religion and love for Catalonia. He studied every detail of his creations, integrating into his architecture a series of crafts in which he was skilled: ceramics, stained glass, wrought ironwork forging and carpentry. He introduced new techniques in the treatment of materials, such as trencadis, made of waste ceramic pieces.
After a few years under the influence of neo-Gothic art and Oriental techniques, he became part of the Catalan Modernista movement, which was reaching its peak in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work transcended mainstream Modernism, culminating in an organic style inspired by nature. He rarely drew detailed plans of his works, instead preferring to create them as three-dimensional scale models and molding the details as he was conceiving them.
His work enjoys widespread international appeal and many studies are devoted to understanding his architecture. Today, his work finds admirers among architects and the general public alike. His masterpiece, the still-uncompleted Sagrada Família, is one of the most visited monuments in Spain.
Between 1984 and 2005, seven of his works were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. His Roman Catholic faith intensified during his life and religious images permeate his work. This earned him the nickname “God’s Architect” and led to calls for his beatification.
The four-armed cross is one of the most typical features of his works.
His professional life was distinctive in that he never ceased to investigate mechanical building structures. Early on, he was inspired by oriental arts (India, Persia, Japan) through the study of the historicist architectural theoreticians, such as Walter Pater, John Ruskin and William Morris.
June 7, 1926, he was taking his daily walk to the Sant Felip Neri church for his habitual prayer and confession. While walking along the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes between Girona and Bailén streets, he was struck by a passing tram and lost consciousness. Assumed to be a beggar because of his lack of identity documents and shabby clothing, the unconscious architect did not receive immediate aid. Eventually a police officer transported him in a taxi to the Santa Creu Hospital, where he received rudimentary care. By the time that the chaplain of the Sagrada Família, Mosén Gil Parés, recognized him his condition had deteriorated too severely to benefit from additional treatment. He died on June 10, 1926 at the age of 73 and was buried two days later. A large crowd gathered to bid farewell to him in the chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the crypt of the Sagrada Família.
Last week’s question: Who is the Australian chef, writer, and TV presenter known for home style Mediterranean cooking? Her Melbourne Wine Room is a foodie destination.
Answer: Karen Martini
Winner: Augusto B. Mendoza, Mandaluyong City
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