Casa Milà (La Pedrera) is considered to be Antoni Gaudí’s most emblematic civil building.
Antoni Gaudí, for its constructive and functional innovations and for the ornamental and decorative solutions that break with the architectural styles of his time.
For Gaudí, La Pedrera meant the most evolved reflection on a building located in a corner in the Eixample district of Barcelona. It consists of two blocks of flats, with independent entrances, organised around two large interconnected courtyards with ramps to access the garage by car.
The monumental and artistic nature of the Casa Milà (La Pedrera) has been recognised by being awarded, especially in recent decades, the highest distinctions in the world for the protection of architectural heritage.
Together with 15 other works by Gaudí, La Pedrera was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument of National Interest in 1969: “Gaudí’s work is of exceptional interest in contemporary architecture. It unites mechanics, construction and technique to achieve a high degree of sincerity”.
La Pedrera today has five usages:
· Tourist use: building open to the public for day and night visits.
· Cultural and social use: cultural centre that hosts exhibitions, conferences and activities.
· Residential use: there is still residential housing for rent.
· Administrative use: headquarters of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation.
· Commercial use: rental of spaces, company offices and shops on the ground floor.