Lluís Domènech i Montaner

The architect, historian and politician Lluís Domènech i Montaner studied in Barcelona and at the Madrid School of Architecture, where he graduated in 1873. In 1875 he was named head of composition and projects at the Barcelona School of Architecture, of which he was Dean from 1901 onwards and where he was also a very active teacher. Professionally, the Universal Exposition of 1888 gave him the opportunity to construct the first buildings that made him popular: the Hotel Internacional and one that anticipated future architectural trends, the Ciutadella Park restaurant (known popularly as the ‘Castle of the Three Dragons'). He also constructed other monumental buildings, including the concert hall, the Palau de la Música Catalana (1905-1908), two houses, Casa Lleó Morera (1905) and Casa Fuster (1908), and, between 1902 and 1912, the great Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau complex.

He was the three-time winner (in 1903, 1905 and 1912) of Barcelona Council's best building of the year award.