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The extraordinary, fantastical world conjured by Antoni Gaudí is firmly in the spotlight this year, which marks the centenary of the famed Catalan architect’s death in 1926. Adding to the occasion is the impending completion of his long-awaited magnum opus, Barcelona’s Sagrada Família, which has been under construction for 144 years.
However, another one of Gaudí’s most recognizable creations just reached its own milestone: The painstaking restoration of Casa Batlló, its third floor in particular, is now complete. The color-soaked interiors offer a vivid reminder that the architect’s genius extended far beyond spectacular facades.
La Sala de Convidats on the third floor of Casa Batlló features a blue marble table and a mix of vintage pieces.Claudia Mauriño
Known as Barcelona’s “House of Bones,” Casa Batlló earns its nickname at first glance. The five-story landmark resembles something from a fairytale, with a sinuous exterior featuring skeletal balconies, shimmering mosaics, iridescent dragon-scale tiles, floral stone ornamentation, and a cupola topped with a four-armed cross.
In 1906, Gaudí transformed an existing residential building into what today is Casa Batlló, masterminding the exteriors and interiors in his signature style of Catalan Modernisme. For over a century, the Batlló family occupied the third floor of the structure, even while other renovations and modernizations happened throughout the building. UNESCO named the structure a World Heritage Site in 2005.
The entry to the apartment from the lightwell, which Gaudí sheathed in azure tile work.Claudia Mauriño
In 2023, the Board of Casa Batlló began the meticulous process of renovating the entire third floor. They took a methodical approach akin to an archeological dig in which layers were stripped away to reveal Gaudí’s original vision. The team included Milan-based interior designer Paola Navone of OTTO Studio as well as Xavier Villanueva as lead restoration architect.
An emerald mosaic bar and Calvet armchairs decorate one of the smaller rooms in the apartment.Claudia Mauriño
“At first, I felt that intervening in Casa Batlló was almost impossible,” said Navone in a statement. “Everything changed when I stopped thinking about designing over Gaudí and started imagining that this residence was my own home in Barcelona.”
The project included restoring the apartment’s original woodwork and flooring, as well as reproducing floral stuccoes and intricate ceiling details with the help of artisans. The team also uncovered original doors that Gaudí had repurposed, which points toward his interest in adaptive reuse—a theme woven throughout the original project. A previously unknown door handle also resurfaced amid the update, further proof of the architect’s attention to the smallest of details.
El Vestidor is a former transition space within the home.Claudia Mauriño
Perhaps best of all, the private rooms are now available to book for special events through Casa Batlló’s online portal.
In addition, the second floor of Casa Batlló is now hosting an exhibition put on by Casa Batlló Contemporary and Fundació Joan Miró. Open through January 2027, “Gaudí-Miró-Gomis: Deconstructed” explores the links between Gaudí, artist Joan Miró, and photographer Joaquim Gomis. The show also features digital interventions from Tomorrow Bureau that aim to further contextualize the work of the three creative masters.
La Biblioteca
Photo credit: Claudia Mauriño
Originally a bedroom, this space stands out for its custom-made shelving, tables upholstered in jute from vintage metallic coffee sacks, and the richness of the silk upholstery and curtains, which create a warm and contemporary atmosphere.
Exterior
Photo credit: Casa Batlló
The exterior of Casa Batlló underwent its own $4 million restoration in 2025.
El Saló Gaudí
Photo credit: MARIA ALGARA PHOTOGRAPHY
This was once one of the residence’s main halls, designed by Gaudí as a prestigious space where the household’s social life unfolded. Its original moldings, proportions, and stucco work have been meticulously restored.
El Saló Gaudí
Photo credit: MARIA ALGARA PHOTOGRAPHY
The interior design is defined by its grand, handcrafted porcelain chandeliers, wrought-iron structures, oxidized copper finishes, and hand-woven rugs, which lend identity and theatricality to the space.
La Sala Batlló
Photo credit: MARIA ALGARA PHOTOGRAPHY
La Sala Batlló is one of the residence’s most iconic spaces.
La Sala Batlló
Photo credit: MARIA ALGARA PHOTOGRAPHY
This room preserves its original stucco work and floral ceiling—elements that reflect the home’s noble character. For decades, it served as the heart of the Batlló family’s social and private life.
La Sala de Te
Photo credit: Claudia Mauriño
Historically linked to a more leisurely pace of social life, this space preserves delicate floral stuccoes and original moldings, reflecting the taste and refinement of the era.
Entry
Photo credit: MARIA ALGARA PHOTOGRAPHY
The entry from the lightwell features a tile surround.
Bedroom
Photo credit: MARIA ALGARA PHOTOGRAPHY
One of the bedrooms has been restored as part of the project.
Kitchen
Photo credit: MARIA ALGARA PHOTOGRAPHY
The apartment features a kitchen where blue tones dominate.
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