House of the Punxes

Casa de les Punxes, also known as Casa Terradas, is a magnificent example of modernist architecture in Barcelona, designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch and completed in 1905. Located between Avenida Diagonal, Carrer del Rosselló, and Carrer del Bruc, the house gets its name from the six pointed towers that resemble medieval castles. Commissioned by Bartomeu Terradas for his three sisters, the structure is an intriguing fusion of Gothic, Renaissance, and modernist elements, making it unique in its kind. The history of Casa de les Punxes begins with Bartomeu Terradas, a textile industrialist who wanted to create a distinctive residence for his sisters Àngela, Josefa, and Rosa. Puig i Cadafalch, known for his eclectic and innovative style, conceived the building as an urban castle, breaking with the architectural conventions of the time. The triangular shape of the site, a rarity in Barcelona, was skillfully used by the architect to integrate the three residences into a single harmonious complex. The building’s facade is made of red bricks, with ceramic decorations and stone sculptures representing a variety of symbols and motifs. One of the most iconic elements is the panel with Saint George killing the dragon, accompanied by the inscription “Sant Patró de Catalunya, torneu-nos la llibertat” (Saint Patron of Catalonia, give us back our freedom), a clear reference to Catalan cultural identity. Other decorative panels include images of angels, flowers, and zodiac symbols, all designed by renowned artists of the time such as Enric Monserdà. The structure of Casa de les Punxes is an innovative example of using modernist construction techniques. Puig i Cadafalch replaced traditional load-bearing walls with iron columns and metal beams, creating spacious and flexible interior spaces, a significant innovation for the time. This design choice not only improved the functionality of the spaces but also gave the building a sense of lightness and openness. The renovation of the building, started in the 1980s and completed in 2003, has allowed for the preservation and enhancement of this architectural gem. The restoration, led by architects Francesc Xavier Asarta and Albert Pla, received the Urban Land Institute Europe Excellence Award for excellence in heritage restoration. During the works, special attention was given to the recovery of the original decorations and the modernization of the interiors to adapt them to new functions without compromising their historical integrity.