🧵 The textile merchant’s house where Modernisme whispers

At the beginning of the century, Gaudí was working on numerous projects simultaneously and thats when his personal style became the most visible. In 1900 he even received an award for the best building of the year from the Barcelona City Council for his Casa Calvet, built for Pere Màrtir Calvet – a rare official accolade for Gaudí.

🏰 Casa Calvet:

Built for the Calvet family, who owned a textile business, the building combined commercial spaces, private residences, and the owner’s apartment. The structure had to respect strict urban planning rules of the Eixample, limiting Gaudí’s usual creative freedom.
The façade, constructed of Montjuïc stone, appears symmetrical and conventional at first glance but reveals delicate Gaudí details such as sculpted balconies, baroque-inspired ornaments etc.
Despite the strict facade attentive visitor can notice Gaudí’s signatures: carved mushrooms (the owner’s hobby), bobbin‑shaped portal columns (a nod to textiles), and a cross‑shaped door knocker that strikes an “insect” – an allegory of faith conquering sin. At the rear, Gaudí went bolder, replacing standard Eixample galleries with balcony‑and‑oriel compositions to fine‑tune light and privacy.
Inside, Gaudí designed custom furniture, elegant woodwork, and decorative ceilings, reflecting his holistic approach to architecture and interior design.
The building harmonizes with neighboring constructions but incorporates subtle flowing lines and natural motifs, foreshadowing Gaudí’s later Modernisme masterpieces.

💡 Interesting Facts 💡

Mini‑story: Archives recount Gaudí pushing back on height limits, sketching a “red cut line” on the drawing – as if to say, approve it, or we’ll slice it flat. The built facade followed his original intent and later won the city prize.
Look closer: The wrought‑iron knocker shaped like a cross hits a bug – a moral vignette in metal; the flanking “spool” columns wink at Calvet’s trade.
Myth vs Fact: “Doesn’t look like Gaudí?” It’s often called his most conservative street facade, yet the mushrooms, baroque gables, and balcony choreography are unmistakably his.

✈️ Travel Tips ✈️

1️⃣ Address: Carrer de Casp, 48 (Dreta de l’Eixample). Best light early morning or late afternoon.
2️⃣ Metro: L1/L4 Urquinaona (3–5 min walk); also near Catalunya (L1/L3) and Passeig de Gràcia (L2).
3️⃣ Gaudí route: Walk 15–20 min along Passeig de Gràcia to Casa Batlló and La Pedrera — Barcelona’s Modernisme spine.
4️⃣ Detail hunt: Mushrooms on the oriel cartouches, monograms, coats of arms, and the trio of saintly busts up top.
5️⃣ Interiors: Generally not open. Ground floor currently houses China Crown restaurant — verify current status before planning an interior peek.