In this first stage, the catalogue focuses on the modern and contemporary architecture designed and built between 1832 –year of construction of the first industrial chimney in Barcelona that we establish as the beginning of modernity– until today.
The project is born to make the architecture more accessible both to professionals and to the citizens through a website that is going to be updated and extended. Contemporary works of greater general interest will be incorporated, always with a necessary historical perspective, while gradually adding works from our past, with the ambitious objective of understanding a greater documented period.
The collection feeds from multiple sources, mainly from the generosity of architectural and photographic studios, as well as the large amount of excellent historical and reference editorial projects, such as architectural guides, magazines, monographs and other publications. It also takes into consideration all the reference sources from the various branches and associated entities with the COAC and other collaborating entities related to the architectural and design fields, in its maximum spectrum.
Special mention should be made of the incorporation of vast documentation from the COAC Historical Archive which, thanks to its documental richness, provides a large amount of valuable –and in some cases unpublished– graphic documentation.
The rigour and criteria for selection of the works has been stablished by a Documental Commission, formed by the COAC’s Culture Spokesperson, the director of the COAC Historical Archive, the directors of the COAC Digital Archive, and professionals and other external experts from all the territorial sections that look after to offer a transversal view of the current and past architectural landscape around the territory.
The determination of this project is to become the largest digital collection about Catalan architecture; a key tool of exemplar information and documentation about architecture, which turns into a local and international referent, for the way to explain and show the architectural heritage of a territory.
We kindly invite you to help us improve the dissemination of Catalan architecture through this space. Here you can propose works and provide or amend information on authors, photographers and their work, along with adding comments. The Documentary Commission will analyze all data. Please do only fill in the fields you deem necessary to add or amend the information.
The Arxiu Històric del Col·legi d'Arquitectes de Catalunya is one of the most important documentation centers in Europe, which houses the professional collections of more than 180 architects whose work is fundamental to understanding the history of Catalan architecture. By filling this form, you can request digital copies of the documents for which the Arxiu Històric del Col·legi d'Arquitectes de Catalunya manages the exploitation of the author's rights, as well as those in the public domain. Once the application has been made, the Arxiu Històric del Col·legi d'Arquitectes de Catalunya will send you an approximate budget, which varies in terms of each use and purpose.
The Palau Montaner, by the publisher Ramon Montaner, was begun in 1889 under the direction and design of Josep Domènech i Estapà. But due to disagreements with the owner, he ended up entrusting it to his nephew Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
Domènech i Montaner did not alter the architectural structure of Domènech Estapà's palace-villa, which was already built on the ground floor and first floor, but he did decide to change the planned decoration of the façades and the interior.
As can be seen in the photographs and plans of the Domènech legacy, one of the interventions on the exterior consisted of introducing a powerful eaves on the roof and a richly decorated ceramic frieze on the upper part.
The decorative frieze had ornamental stone elements and ornamental elements of glazed ceramic and metallic reflections with floral and heraldic motifs and references to printing.
Inside, he designed a majestic vestibule with an imperial staircase covered with a spectacular stained-glass skylight that floods the space with natural light.
The entire palace is decorated with mosaics, sculptures, stained glass, upholstery and drapery and woodwork made in collaboration with Eusebi Arnau, Antoni Rigalt and Gaspar Homar, among others. He also had the help of his collaborator and friend Gallissà.
It is currently the headquarters of the Government Delegation in Catalonia.
Josep Domènech Estapà, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Antoni Maria Gallissà Soqué