The Porta Mercadé House

Sometimes, Modernism was able to convey a certain tranquillity to house exteriors. Ornamental features were combined with architectural ones to create a harmony of composition. Thus in this house, all the ornamentation converges in tempering the walls. Various features are used to achieve this effect: the simulated painting on the ashlar stones, the undulating balconies that leave the starring role to the geometric shapes used to top off the house, the vertical sashes featuring medallions, the ribbons surrounding the date plaque commemorating when the house was built. Also, the house, designed by prolific architect Josep Maria Pujol i de Barberà, was the first one in the city to use reinforced concrete beams.

(outside view)