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Conoce a los FINALISTAS de Iconos del Diseño 2021

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Todo sobre los proyectos contendientes para el premio a lo más destacado del diseño latinoamericano.

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Gallery of Niop Hacienda / AS arquitectura + R79 - 31

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Image 31 of 45 from gallery of Niop Hacienda / AS arquitectura + R79. Photograph by David Cervera Castro

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Legorreta

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Noll Sotogrande Real Estate · Luxury Properties

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Visita virtual a la lujosa casa de Ricardo Legorreta en Sotogrande

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Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta (1931 - 2011) studied architecture at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico and went on to work for Jose Villagran Garcia before opening his own office in 1963. His work was influenced by fellow Mexican architect Luis Barragán, who was in turn influenced by European modernism.

Casa Shapiro, in Los Angeles, California, was designed by Legorreta in 1991. It demonstrates his bold use of colour and solid geometric forms, as well as his exploitation of light and shadow. The compound occupies three-quarters of an acre, and includes an 8,184 sq ft main residence. In addition there are outdoor plazas and gardens, an outdoor dining room, a pool with spa and cabana and a paddle tennis court. It is on the market for $10,995,000.

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WHAT'S ON THE MARKET: Casa Shapiro by Ricardo Legorreta | Journal | The Modern House

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Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta (1931 - 2011) studied architecture at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico and went on to work for Jose Villagran Garcia before opening his own office in 1963. His work was influenced by fellow Mexican architect Luis Barragán, who was in turn [...]

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Residencia en Lomas de Chapultepec, CDMX
2019

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RECONSTRUCCIÓN

Gracias a la colaboración con distintos colectivos y personas que están detonado procesos de organización comunitaria (El Camino de los Altos A.C., AMBULANTE / LEVANTEMOS MÉXICO) actualmente tenemos presencia en tres estados y 8 territorios. Comenzamos ya las labores de Diagnóstico y de preparación para organizar los procesos de construcción que se llevarán acabo. Agradecemos también a todas las personas, grupos estudiantiles, organizaciones y empresas que están realizando donativos para poder continuar con las labores del programa.

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RECONSTRUCCIÓN Gracias a la colaboración con distintos colectivos y personas que están detonado procesos de organización comunitaria (El Camino de los Altos A.C., AMBULANTE / LEVANTEMOS MÉXICO) actualmente tenemos presencia en tres estados y 8 territorios. Comenzamos ya las labores de Diagnóstico y de preparación para organizar los procesos de construcción que se llevarán acabo.

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Espacio 18 Arquitectura: Two years two months and two days, the writer Henry David Thoreau lived in a cabin which he built himself in Walden Pond, Massachusetts, his childhood town. In just about a space of 3 m x 4.5 meters lakeside, he developed himself as an individual isolated from society looking for inspiration of the natural and its origins. His time at the cabin, let him valued what it's really necessary and the respect of life itself which leads him to renovate him as a human and fight on social subjects at the end of his life. Which means, it's funny how the toad is different when it enters than when it leaves the pond.

La casa del sapo started for satisfy a program of needs through an architectural posture which reflects in the context, community and in results of actions we are passing to our future generations. It's a project that's grown tremendously even years before it was even thought of being built, A project that landed through signs and intuitions, which little by little opened doors and built bridges between people that ought to be united.

La casa del sapo is everyone's , it has become a gathering, sapo is union, a family home, a shelter, an inclusive space, a safe space, a rest home, a school, a place where children can learn how to swim, where they can send turtles into the ocean, an orchard, a place to eat and drink mezcal, a place for friends, a place to grow, Pau and Mario's home... When you get to show the kind of respect that a place deserves, from that very moment of telling the community what are you going to do, it embraces you, which has to be reciprocal.

The house was designed by the place itself, "two stones looking at the sea, craving for its timelessness", the first one looks for the sunrise and the other one for the sun to go down, where the spacing between them shows the sea, the beauty of the costa Oaxaqueña, and creates flexible space for the one living in it, who will adapt it in it's own personal way of being.

The materials were chosen for the people and their own skills for construction, just as they where thought out to being ecological and socially friendly.

In the building process, some things were left entirely to the decision of the workers as a result of the pandemic that we all had to go through., where everyone came through on their own wisdom and willingness during every single step in the process. This is a project where the number of people involved is surprising, some of them, highly remember with appreciation because of one virus.

La casa del sapo is a project that gives and transforms, it makes you look around and gives you the will to provide and be part of its community. is a paradise that sticks with you, it locates in your memory and never leaves, it's just another rock in the pond, like Zumthor says "It's a project like many other will come, because now, people truly looks around."

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La Casa del Sapo: a concrete seafront home on Zapotengo beach in Oaxaca, Mexico by Espacio 18 Arquitectura

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Two years two months and two days, the writer Henry David Thoreau lived in a cabin which he built himself in Walden Pond, Massachusetts, his childhood town. In just about a space of 3 m x 4.5 meters lakeside, he developed himself as an individual isolated from society looking for inspiration of the natural and its origins.

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Walking Tours Barcelona - Runner Bean Tours

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Ann Marie Brannigan

This post was updated in May 2022.

The most frequently asked question on our Gaudí Free Tour is this one: " Which Gaudí house is better, Casa Milà or Casa Batlló?". The easiest answer is to visit both if you can as each one is a masterpiece in its own right. However, not everyone has enough time in Barcelona or maybe they prefer to see other attractions to make their visit more varied.

Let me explain the pros and cons of each of these UNESCO World Heritage buildings so you can make an informed decision. At the end of the article, I will also tell you which one is my personal favourite and how you can book official tickets and skip the queues. Don't forget that Casa Milà has a nickname: La Pedrera.

Casa Milà vs Casa Batlló: a comparative

The architecture

Many people love the colourful ornate facade of Casa Batlló. It is full of eye-catching tiles that make the house impossible to miss when strolling past. With its bone-like balconies and curvy reptile roof, this facade is usually preferred to that of La Pedrera. While Casa Batlló certainly followed the fashions of the time, it is not strictly 100 per cent Gaudí. The architect was commissioned to remodel this 1870s building in keeping with the Art Nouveau fashion of the day.

I always ask guests on my tours to dig a little deeper to see the genius in Casa Milà too. This apartment block was designed from the ground up and Gaudí abandoned colour for form. It is so original and unlike any construction from this period. You will either love or hate the recycled welded iron balconies on its wavy limestone front.

Both masterpieces can be seen from the outside, so, no agonising choices here. However, as regards layout, ingenuity, new construction methods and importance, La Pedrera would get the critics thumbs up.
BOOK CASA MILÀ/LA PEDRERA TICKETS BOOK CASA BATLLÓ TICKETS
OUR TIP: Looking at both houses from the outside? Decided on which to enter? Get online and book. It is also cheaper than paying at the entrance.

The interior

Let's discuss the interiors. What do you get to visit? Which one is better?

Entrances, courtyards and patios

In both houses, you see the inside patio (two in la Pedrera), the stairway, an individual apartment, the attic and the roof terrace. I prefer the entranceway to Casa Batlló by far. It is like entering a jewelry box and the carved wooden staircase up to the apartment will blow you away. If you are a tile person the interior patio is all about decoration. It is beautifully done in shades of blue giving the atmosphere of submergence in the ocean depths.

Casa Milà's entranceway starts at a modern-looking ticket office where you put your belongings through a security check. But once through to the first patio, you can breathe a sigh of relief as it is round and spacious, catering to larger numbers. While the patios are a lot plainer inside, there are some eye-catching painted frescoes around.

OUR TIP: If the queue for the lift to the roof terrace in La Pedrera looks long, ask the staff to show you the hidden stairway off the patio (servants used it in the olden days). It is 8 floors up so make sure you are fit and ready for the climb.

Living quarters

The living quarters of Casa Batlló are not furnished and a lot of rooms (kitchen, servants quarters and bathroom) are missing so it lacks that sense of a real lived-in apartment. Despite this, some people do prefer the interior. Sculpted wooden doors, colourful stained glass windows and rounded plaster ceilings transport guests to a fairy wonderland. The family terrace is open to visitors affording a view of the back part of the house, a feature which is not available in Casa Milà.

La Pedrera's apartment is furnished, giving a great insight into how people lived and decorated their abodes in this era. Wandering from room to room disorientates most as the layout follows the curve of the round patio which is so unusual in any construction. Subtle and brilliant, it does, however, miss that immediate first impression, the wow factor of Casa Batlló.

OUR TIP: Both living quarters exhibition spaces can feel quite cramped when busy so try to catch the early morning or late evening visits (about 1.5 hours before closing time).

The attic

The white plastered, ribbed walls of the attic in Casa Batlló make you feel the nickname house of bones is very fitting for this dwelling. In parts, it can be narrow and if crowded a bit claustrophobic, but this impressive passageway must be walked to arrive at the roof terrace.

Casa Milà's loft has bare ribbed walls and ceilings made from red brick, immediately creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere. It's an enormous space and is dotted with small windows so one does not feel boxed in or stuffy. Excellent models, videos, charts, furniture and more give the visitor a fantastic insight into all of Gaudi's work, a display that Casa Batlló lacks.

OUR TIP: One exhibit not to be missed in Casa Milà's rafters is the hanging chain model of Colonia Güell. It explains Gaudí's genius by looking in the mirror below.

The roof terrace

The terrace of Casa Batlló is not as promising as you might think by looking at the roof from below. It houses chimneys, the skylight and the water storage room. While still imaginative and, no mistaking, a Gaudí rooftop, I get the feeling that, after completion, the architect thought to himself: " I can definitely do better in my next house ". And that, my friends, would be La Pedrera.

The terrace of Casa Milà is one of the most magical places in Barcelona and a sculptural masterpiece. Stairwells, ventilation towers and chimneys are the 3 main elements that combine to make a highly original and wonderful space. It is not a flat surface (like casa Batlló) and you will be climbing up and downstairs to see the sights so those with bad knees, be aware.

As a plus, you can actually enjoy beautiful views of Barcelona from La Pedrera's roof terrace (a classic photopic is the one of Sagrada Familia framed by one of the arches). Even famous film directors like Michelangelo Antonioni found the place irresistible enough to use it as a backdrop for a movie. Check out this scene of his 1975 film "The Passenger" with Jack Nicholson and Maria Schneider wandering around Gaudí's rooftop in a very blackened by pollution Casa Milà (things are quite different now).

The only disadvantage of La Pedrera's roof terrace compared to Casa Batlló's is that it will be closed when it rains. So check the weather forecast beforehand so you don't leave Barcelona without experiencing it.

OUR TIP: On Summer nights both La Pedrera and Casa Batlló offer night shows on their roof terraces. Both are great and I can't think of a better way to enjoy the atmosphere of these special places accompanied by great music and surrounded by Gaudí's endless imagination.

Special visits and audio guide

Night visit of La Pedrera

One exciting option is a night tour of La Pedrera. A little more pricey but worth doing as they limit the number of people per group led by a helpful guide answering queries. The roof terrace takes on a magical dimension by the light of the moon, and the house feels eerily quiet. On the downside, one misses Gaudí's clever use of illumination by natural daylight. Also, as you are on a group tour, you won't be able to linger long in any location but the free glass of cava at the end will surely make up for it.

Audio guides

In Casa Batlló, a visual audio guide is handed out which tends to keep both adults and children occupied. It is an interactive mini tablet that you twirl around each room and photos of the period decoration appear. In other locations, little animations pop up giving you an insight into the inspirations of the architect (you can check the video below to get an idea). The drawback here is the narration which tends to be a bit boring without many stories, also no photos showing the bedrooms either!

La Pedrera has the traditional earphones, is more complete and less gadgety. It doesn't need the visual as everything is there for you to see in real life. Again, a little on the dry side, but gives all the basics to understanding the house.

OUR TIP: For those who hate audio guides a good investment is the Visual Guide book series. Casa Batlló and Casa Milà books are excellent with plenty of pictures and simple explanations. A great memory to take home with you too.

There is no way out here: both houses are quite expensive (especially Casa Batlló with the new 10D Experience), although there are some discounts for seniors, children or students. The good news is that the price always includes the audio guide which, especially in the case of Casa Batlló, is quite helpful.

Bear in mind that there is a surcharge of €4 in Casa Batlló and €3 in La Pedrera if you decide to buy your ticket at the entrance. This is one of the reasons why it is advisable to pre-book online. The main one is that you will skip the lines at both attractions (only with the Gold ticket at Casa Batlló). There is not much point in booking La Pedrera Premium ticket as you will also skip the lines with the regular ticket.

There is also a possibility of paying extra for a premium service. Casa Milà offers guided tours and a night projection show while Casa Batlló has an early entrance option and theatrical visits. You can also enjoy live music with a glass of cava at the terraces in both houses during the Summer months.
Book tickets to Casa Milà / La Pedrera Book tickets to Casa Batlló
One word of warning: nowadays there are many websites selling tickets to the Gaudí attractions. Most of them will charge an extra booking fee so you will end up paying more than you should. Even worse, there are even some scamming sites selling fake tickets that, of course, won't be valid. If you want to pay the official price, always book through an official site. These are official sites where you can purchase the tickets to both buildings with no surprises:

The queues and crowds

Casa Batlló is a smaller building and in the high season feels very squashed. Sometimes it is hard to appreciate the interior as there are way too many people inside. A few times on my Gaudí private tours we got caught in a human traffic jam through the narrow attic that leads to the roof terrace.

The queues are always long to get into this house also, maybe because it is more popular or because it moves slower. I always advise clients to go very early when it opens at 9 am or very late (around 7.30 pm-8 pm) when most people have finished sightseeing and are heading off for dinner.

Casa Milà is a larger space and more able to cater to a larger number of people. Even in the high season, the queues are manageable. However, because of this, tour groups are regularly brought here and it is not unusual to see a tour bus or two parked outside. The group entrance is a separate one from the individual travellers so it will not affect the line to get in.

Organised groups whisk through the building as they are on a schedule so hold back, they will move on quickly. Just don't get caught in the living quarters on show with a large tour as this is the smallest space and can feel cramped if crowded.

Casa Milà or Casa Batlló? My personal choice

Casa Milà

My personal favourite is Casa Milà. As a tour guide bringing people around, there is so much more to dig your teeth into. The building is a leap forward in construction methods. Maybe its modern front is not to everyone's taste but it is uniquely original for its time. The roof terrace is a winner in everyone's book while the attic is amazing and has a more complete exhibition space. The apartment on view has a unique layout being cleverly designed by Gaudí and all rooms are present and furnished. If you are in any way interested in architecture, this is the one to pick.

Casa Batlló

However, one can not dismiss Casa Batlló, even though it was only been remodelled by Gaudí. It is a masterpiece of craftwork and, if not a bit over the top, fuels the imagination. Many clients I have, had preferred Casa Batlló for this reason, especially families with kids. The mini-tablet guide keeps the children well-occupied and fires up their interest.

In Casa Batlló there is a new 10-D Experience that started in May 2021. Bear in mind that this is not designed by Gaudí. It consists of a series of eye-catching art installations placed outside the rooms mentioned above. At the moment this is the only option available if you want to see the house. This has pushed up the price of the visit by a whopping 40%! We will keep you informed here if options without this new feature are available again at some point.

My advice is to study this post, look at the photos of both houses, think about what you want from the visit and decide from there.

Casa Milà a.k.a. La Pedrera practical information

Opening times (COVID-19 UPDATED for 2022):

Prices for the general visit:

These are the prices for bookings online. There is a €3 surcharge if bought at the ticket office.

Other options to visit the building are available at different prices.

Only use an official site to book skip-the-line Casa Milà/La Pedrera tickets at the official prices
BOOK CASA MILÀ TICKETS

Casa Batlló practical information

Every Day: 9 am to 8:15 pm

Magic Nights concerts: 8 pm (visit) 9 pm (concert)

Prices online for the general visit (10D Experience):

These are the prices for bookings online. There is a €4 surcharge if bought at the ticket office.

Other options to visit the building are available at different prices.

Only use an official site to book skip-the-line Casa Batlló tickets at the official prices
BOOK CASA BATLLÓ TICKETS
If you are looking for other activities here, don't forget to check the very complete guide for What to do in Barcelona. You definitely won't be short of things to do! (This post might include affiliated links. If you make a purchase by following an affiliated link, we might make a small commission to help to maintain this site. At no point, this will incur any extra costs to you. Thank you)
Main photograph: Casa Milà/La Pedrera by Antonio Tajuelo and Casa Batlló by Casal Partiu

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CASA MILÀ or CASA BATLLÓ: which Gaudí house is better

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A comparison of Casa Milà and Casa Batlló. Step by step guide with practical advice to decide which Gaudí house to visit in Barcelona.