Colegio de las Teresianas – Architectural Innovation with bricks and crushed stone

As the weather is getting warmer during summer, it activates our wanderlust vibes, aimed at regulating imagination by reality. The act of traveling is brain food, first by providing exposure to different cultures, and then supplying a need for novelty, to better accept the harsh reality of life. 

One of the top holiday destinations, Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city and a symbol of Catalan modernism. This is a city defined by Gaudi, the famous creator of unique shapes, voluptuous colors, and consistent textures, and one of the most famous architects of all time. As a leading figure of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Gaudi revealed his creativity by way of constant innovation and was obsessed with every detail of his creations. 

A practicing Catholic guided by religious beliefs, Gaudi made use of symbols of faith for his architecture. Besides the fact that the "Architect of God" was very faithful, his architecture is reflected by his famous quote: "The straight line belongs to Man. The curved line belongs to God". 

One of his lesser-known projects, the Colegio de las Teresianas, was designed at a time when Gaudi was barely famous, upon assuming the works for his pet project, the Sagrada Familia.  A building of sheer beauty, the Colegio de las Teresianas was completed between 1888 and 1890. The construction started by architect Joan Baptista Pons i Trabal, was later taken over by the Catalan architect during the foundation stage. What initially appeared to be a simple and austere building was then reconfigured by Gaudi, who managed to transform everything into an architectural landmark, without even intervening in the volume plan, or floor structure. For that reason, the brilliant architect created two patios (interior courtyards), which allow natural light to be exploited. 

Father Enrique de Osso, the founder of Saint Teresa of Avila’s nun’s order, asked Gaudi for a simple project, conditioned by a modest budget and its final destination (college and convent of nuns). The outcome: a superb building with 4 levels plus a ground floor and a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Thus, it required Gaudi’s full use of crushed stone and brick to be completed. Designed as a neo-Gothic castle, the Colegio de las Teresianas building abounds with religious symbols, including the parabolic arches typical of Catholic churches, for conveying a unique ambiance into the building. The main entrance door was made of wrought iron, featuring symbols of the Virgin Mary and St. Teresa of Avila, alongside cross motifs. 

As a child growing up in a harmonious family, Gaudi's religious feelings were constantly instilled by a kind and very caring mother, who conveyed her faith in the everlasting power of the Creator. Later, he was to reveal to the world a basic principle: originality means the uniqueness of construction, but also a "going back to the origins" principle, displayed by all designs at every stage of his career. By choosing to promote architectural shapes inspired by nature, Gaudi conveys a message with every inch of his work: the perfect symmetry can only be found in nature. Religious symbolism is at home with the Colegio de las Teresianas project, featuring the inscriptions "Todo se pasa" (All things are passing), "Solo Dios basta" (God alone suffices - a phrase from a poem by Saint Teresa of Avila) alongside the initials "ST" displayed in the main entrance area. 

Irrespective of the destination, architectural masterpieces, or private residences, natural stone has always exerted a particular fascination as a building material, due to an obvious connection with unconstrained inspiration. If you want marble, slate, travertine, limestone, or granite for your design projects, PIATRAONLINE has an extensive range of colors finishes and textures, large stocks, plus the latest design ideas and accessories. Visit the website now and order a stone sample!