pay in Spain in 1852 , designer Antoni Gaudí became famous for working at the forefront of Catalan Modernism , an esthetic and literary motion that sought to establish Catalonia as distinctly modern and urban . Throughout his career , his bright , audacious design stood out from the retentive - stock building practices . For Barcelona’sPark Güell , he used natural , organic shape paired with colorful mosaic tiles . The family dwelling he designed , such as theCasa CalvetandCasa Milà , were just as bold . HisCasa Batlló , for lesson , features stretch window , a scale - similar roof , curved entree , and undulating roof , afford the home a dreamlike , psychedelic effect .
Gaudí was well - known and respected , and he made adept money designing dwelling house and public outer space . In 1883 , Gaudí begin design Sagrada Família , the tremendous Roman Catholic Roman basilica in Barcelona most associated with his name .
Nicknamed “ God ’s designer , ” Gaudí stated that he design and ramp up all his employment for the glory of God . He did n’t hook up with or have children , rather focusing steadfastly on his study and his Catholicism . As he got old , Gaudí became more religious , look Mass and praying each day . He engaged in utmost fast , shunned meat and alcohol , and reportedlyate only lettuce dipped in milkfor a typical lunch . After several of his close friend , relatives , collaborationist , and patron died in the early 1910s , he cast off himself further into his work . He move into his workshop inside the Sagrada Família , give up all other work in 1914 , and turned down interviews . His hygiene habit also went sharply downhill ; he wore shabby , ragged clothing , and stop shaving .
On June 7 , 1926 , during his daily walk to confession , Gaudí was hit by a tram along the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes . Because of the 73 - year - old ’s unkempt appearance ( and the fact that he did n’t have recognition in his scoop ) , people who witnessed the chance event thought he was a beggar . Gaudí lost cognisance , buttaxi driver would n’t bothertaking a beggar to the infirmary . A doctor who endure along the Gran Via , Dr. Ferrer Solervicens , was alerted to the accident andwent to analyse the quondam man , but he conclude that nothing could be done . A police officeholder finally take the gaunt , injured Gaudíto the Hospital de la Santa Creu , where he got only the rudimentary tutelage that a pauper would welcome .
It was n’t until the next daylight that the chaplain at the Sagrada Família recognized the beggar as the famed architect , but it was too late — Gaudí died two days later , on June 10 , 1926 . The residents of Barcelona mourned Gaudí ’s expiry , lauding his divinely inspired work ; his funeral procession snake through the metropolis , ending at his immense , unfinished church building . He was laid to rest in the crypt of the Sagrada Família , underneath the keep on elbow grease to end up his detailed , stupendous sanctuary .
That work is still underway , 90 years later . Current sound projection require the Sagrada Família to befinished in 2026 , in time for the hundredth day of remembrance of the groovy architect ’s decease .
