Antoni Plàcid Gaudí i Cornet (1852 - 1926), one of Spain's most prolific and arguably greatest architect, was born in Catalonia, the fifth child of a coppersmith. His keen sense of vision was honed from his childhood days when rheumatic fevers often kept him at home, allowing him to spend many hours observing nature. The story goes that when his teacher explained that birds had wings to fly, little Gaudí replied the chickens at his home had wings but couldn't fly. Instead they used them to run faster!

Although Gaudí underwent formal training in architecture at the Escola Superior d'Arquitectura, where he eventually qualified as an Architect in 1878, his mind was never constrained by conventional rules. He was interested in subjects like Philosophy, History and Economics because he believed that architectural styles depend on the social and political atmosphere. When asked to submit a project on the entry gate of a cemetery, Gaudí instead drew a hearse with sad characters to set the scene.

The innovative combination of medieval structures and organic shapes free from straight-line rigidity and forms, which characterizes his later masterpieces, reflects Gaudí's sensitivity to the movements at the time. Gothic art was experiencing a renaissance, while Art Nouveau had newly arrived at the start of the 19th century. His good grounding in the use of materials derived from his apprenticeship as a smith before he began his study of architecture.

Patronage by the rich bourgeoisie was essential for projects to a young architect, and one Eusebi Guell became his greatest patron and confidante, but Gaudí never renounced his origins from the less-privileged classes and supported the political struggles of the workers. The shy Gaudí fell in love with one Miss Pepita Moreu but proposed too late, when she was already engaged. It appears that matters of the heart were forever buried, from that point onwards, as he dedicated himself solely to his architectural cause and never married.

In 1883, Gaudí became linked with a project that was to be intertwined with his destiny for 43 years of his life, until his death. This was the Sagrada Familia, an expiatory temple to be dedicated to the Holy Family and funded solely by donations. By a twist of fate, Gaudí's former professor, Francisco de Paula Villar, resigned after a dispute with Joan Martorell who was in charge of the project. Martorell then appointed the 31-year old Gaudí to take over.

Over the years, Gaudí began to win international acclaim and renown and there were numerous prestigious projects charged to him, even though they frequently brought him into conflict with the authorities for disregarding the legal limits on construction. Sadly, the official organizations never did accord him the recognition that his talent deserved during his lifetime. The only award he received was Building of the Year in 1900 for the Casa Calvet, and the only commission he received from the City of Barcelona was to design the street lamps in the Plaça Reial and the Plaça de Palau.

Amongst his most famous creations was Park Guell (1900-1914), a unique garden estate and park blending beautifully and sensitively into its hilly landscape. The park is famed for its use of ceramic mosaics and its fascinating myriad of organically-shaped beams and vaults.

Casa Batlló (1905-1907) was a city residence totally converted by Gaudí into a delightful edifice with balconies that seem to move, fun-looking chimneys and an undulating roof.

The La Pedrera Building (1906-1910) was his last and most ambitious civil feat. The work was a celebration of flowing living forms, which proved that internal walls are not needed, but only intertwined metal girders and vaults supported by columns.

Yet, despite all the projects he undertook, Gaudí never lost touch with the Sagrada Familia. In fact, the span of the years working on the monumental church marked the transformation of the genius architect's involvement in the project, from a purely artistic and professional interest into a deeply religious passion towards his twilight years.

The change may have been accentuated by the tragic events that befell him at the time. In 1911, he became seriously ill and almost died; from then onwards till his death, he worked exclusively on the Sagrada Familia. The years 1912 to 1918 saw the successive passing of his niece and several of his best friends, including Eusebi Guell. Even the construction of the Sagrada Familia itself was in danger of being interrupted by a serious economic crisis in 1915.

Gaudí's reclusion became such that, in 1925, he moved his residence into the premises of the Sagrada Familia. Eight months later, he was knocked down by a tram while taking a walk. Because of his old clothes, he was taken for a pauper and three cab drivers refused to take him before he was eventually brought to a hospital. Gaudí died three days later at the age of 74 years without regaining consciousness.

The Sagrada Familia remains an unfinished dream to this day, but the legacy of Gaudí lives on.