The attic space of Palau Güell has been transformed to deep dive into one of Antoni Gaudí’s most distinctive architectural features: windows.
Titled ‘Gaudí: Windows on the Future,’ the exhibition runs from April 21 to October 25 and serves as the venue’s main contribution to Gaudí Year 2026, marking the centenary of the Catalan architect’s death.
Organized in collaboration with the Japanese architectural products company YKK AP, the show coincides with Barcelona’s designation as World Architecture Capital and the hosting of the World Congress of Architecture.
Rather than offering a traditional retrospective, the exhibition takes a focused approach, examining more than 300 window designs created by Gaudí across his career. According to organizers, this lens reveals the broader scope of his creativity and technical innovation.
“Starting from a very specific element of Gaudí’s work, we can understand the genius and creativity of the architect,” said Palau Güell director Guillem Mundet.
The exhibition brings together original window fittings and stained glass used in Gaudí’s buildings, alongside interactive replicas that allow visitors to explore how his mechanisms functioned.
Models, drawings and academic research complete the display, providing both technical and historical context.
Curator Ayano Kikuchi highlights windows as “a key element of Gaudí’s architecture,” emphasizing how he used them to experiment with form, light, and functionality.
The exhibition traces this evolution from his early works, such as Casa Vicens, to the Sagrada Família, demonstrating how his designs became increasingly complex and expressive.
Research carried out over several years also suggests that Palau Güell alone contains more than 150 different window types, reinforcing the scale of Gaudí’s experimentation across his architectural output.
International reach
The project extends beyond the Catalan capital. A satellite exhibition will be presented in Tokyo from May 16 to July 12 as part of the Tokyo Architecture Festival 2026, before traveling to the Japanese city of Toyama.
The collaboration with YKK AP has also involved students from Japan and Spain, who contributed to research on the evolution of Gaudí’s window designs.
Citywide activities
The exhibition is part of a broader program of activities across Gaudí landmarks. In June, Casa Batlló will host “Gaudí Window Nights,” offering free-entry visits, while additional temporary events are planned at sites such as Casa Vicens and Colònia Güell.
Palau Güell will also organize a lecture series between May 13 and June 4, focusing on themes explored in the exhibition, including construction techniques, stained glass, and restoration challenges.
Accompanying the exhibition is a book of the same title, set to be presented on July 1. The publication compiles photographs, design materials, and essays by architects, academics, and specialists, offering a comprehensive look at Gaudí’s window designs.
By focusing on a single architectural feature, “Gaudí: Windows to the Future” reframes how audiences understand the Catalan architect, presenting his windows not as decorative details, but as a gateway into his broader vision, one that continues to inspire innovation.
