In 2026, the spotlight has been firmly on Antoni Gaudí for several reasons. Not only is it the centenary of his death, but Barcelona has also been celebrating its designation as World Capital of Architecture, bringing the architect and his work back into focus. Renowned worldwide as a unique architect, his enduring influence was the subject of a discussion featuring five experts from the UIC Barcelona School of Architecture. The event was part of the 31st edition of Science Week, organised by the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI), which this year has promoted activities focused on the architect.
Round-table participants included: Josep Miàs, architect and full professor at The Bartlett School of Architecture in London; Alberto Estévez, full professor of architecture and founder of the UIC Barcelona School of Architecture; Judith Urbano, holder of a PhD in art history, lecturer and former dean of Humanities at UIC; Manuel Arenas, architect and former head of Graphic Expression at UIC; and Josep Maria Tarragona, UIC doctoral student, historian and biographer of Gaudí. The session was moderated by the School of Architecture’s deputy director, Ricardo Gómez Val.
Gaudí, more present than ever
Judith Urbano recalled an event that has once again put Gaudí on the map: the inauguration of the Sagrada Família’s Tower of Jesus Christ in 2026. “Despite clearly being a figure of great relevance today, when the Sagrada Família is completed, he will once again attract interest,” argued the expert in art history. For Josep Maria Tarragona, Gaudí was a “pure artist” whose pursuit was “beauty”, a “timeless” quality.
Manuel Arenas referred to the enduring relevance of Gaudí’s work: “Gaudí’s architecture was entirely new and original. He was not a Modernista architect, despite belonging chronologically to that period,” he explained. “There is still much to discover about him,” added the architect, who is currently putting the finishing touches to a book on some of Gaudí’s old manuscripts.
Josep Miàs highlighted that what he finds most striking about Gaudí is his sense of humour: “He’s been mythologised, but, for me, the most interesting Gaudí is the one who makes mistakes, contradicts himself and incorporates elements of humour into his work,” he shared. Alberto Estévez, for his part, discussed Gaudí’s sensitivity and creativity, two qualities that set him apart, as well as the public reaction to his death in Barcelona, which, as the professor noted, was “unprecedented for an architect”.
Innovation and cooperation
Manuel Arenas pointed out that, although Gaudí was not passionate about science, technological innovation was nevertheless a feature of his work: “One example is the technical solution he devised to lift the stones at Casa Milà. As an architect he wasn’t rooted in the past. He worked closely with a team that included Josep Maria Jujol and Joan Rubió, two of his most trusted collaborators.”
The speakers also praised Jujol’s work, which, although heavily influenced by what he learned working alongside Gaudí, deserves greater visibility. “From an art history perspective, Jujol was far more avant-garde than Gaudí. His use of containers to create a tabernacle is truly remarkable,” Judith Urbano explained.
Drawing on their respective areas of expertise, the five architects concluded the session by urging younger architecture students to cultivate their motivation, curiosity and eagerness to learn. “Gaudí spent months studying the Parthenon, and not because he wanted to become an archaeologist,” shared PhD student Josep Maria Tarragona, bringing the session to a close.
